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THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO
HER MAJESTY'S SIG^N^ET
A HISTORY OF
THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO
HER MAJESTY'S SIGNET
WITH A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
SOCIETY FROM 1594 TO 1890 AND
AN ABSTRACT OF THE MINUTES
EDINBURGH
Printed for the Society at the University Press
By T. (Sf A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty
1890
LOAN STACK
KG(9
S3S&5
PREFACE
On 7th February 1887 a committee was appointed to examine
the records with a view to preparing a short historical account
of the society, and was further authorised to prepare a hst of all
past and present members, with information as to the date of
their joining the society, the length of their connection with it, and
any other particulars of interest. The committee appoiated con-
sisted of Messrs. John Clerk Brodie, C.B., LL.D., late deputy
keeper, Charles B. Logan, fiscal, now deputy keeper, John T.
Mowbray, LL.D., treasurer, John Cowan, present fiscal, James Stuart
Fraser Tytler, LL.D., professor of conveyancing, John Cook, col-
lector of the widows' fund, Thomas Graves Law, librarian, William
Forbes Skene, D.C.L., LL.D., James Gordon, John Milligan, WiUlam
Traquair Dickson, John P. Wood, Patrick W. Campbell, Charles
Cook, J. W. Fraser Tytler, and Francis J. Grant. Mr. Campbell
was appointed convener.
The work then undertaken has now been completed, and the
thanks of the committee are due to Professor Fraser Tytler, Mr. W.
Traquair Dickson, Mr. Charles Cook, and Mr. T. G. Law, for their
labours in connection with the work, and to Mr. F. J. Grant,
who has prepared the lists of office-bearers and members, and the
index.
November 1890.
327
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I, HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION-
1. History of the Society,
2. The Library, .
3. The Finances, .
4. The Widows' Fund,
5. The Chair of Conveyancing,
XL LIST OF MEMBERS, .
III. LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS, .
IV. ABSTRACT OF MINUTES, .
iz
Ixvi
Ixxxvi
xcvii
cvii
1
223
229
APPENDIX,
INDEX,
455
461
ILLUSTRATIONS
Writers' Court, .
Lower Hall,
Upper Hall,
The Tymmer Box,
fadng p. xliv
„ Ixxii
,, Ixxvi
„ cxxvi
HISTORICAL mTRODUOTION
THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO
HER MAJESTY'S SIGNET
CHAPTEE I.
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY.
rpHE Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet is an ancient
-*- and honourable branch of the legal profession in Scotland.
Long prior to the establishment of the court of session in
1532, the "wrytaris or clerkis to the signet" existed as a
society, and they have formed part of the coUege of justice since
its foundation.
The members of the society hold office under commission from
the keeper of the signet, an officer of the crown, who is head of
the society. The keeper usually acts by deputy ; that is, by a deputy
keeper and a body of commissioners appointed by the keeper from
among the members of the society. To the deputy keeper and com-
missioners are intrusted the making of all acts and statutes for
the good of the calling, the examination and admission of intrants,
the trial and punishment of delinquent members, and the general
administration of the aifairs of the society.
The writers to the signet are at the present time ordinarily
employed as conveyancers, as agents practising in the court of
session, as commissioners and factors on landed estates, and as
confidential family "men of business," or legal advisers. But
in virtue of their original profession, from which they derive
b
X THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
their title, it is still their exclusive office to sign all writs
passing the signet, except those requiring the signature of a clerk
of the court of session or of the clerk of teinds. They have
also exclusively the right of expeding and carrying through crown
writs, and of subscribing all notes, writs, and other documents
relating thereto.
As members of the college of justice, writers to the signet
of a certain standing are eligible, along with members of the
faculty of advocates, for the office of principal clerk of session,
and, moreover, are by the treaty of union eligible for the bench.
A society long and intimately connected Avith the procedure
of the crown and the courts of law, and not a little concerned
with the development of wealth and of liberal education in the
country, should possess a record of interest at least to its own
members. It is the object of the following pages to trace the
origin and progress of the profession which has given to the society
its distinctive name, to describe the various duties and privileges
which have accrued to the body in the course of time, and to tell
the history of its funds and its library, and its connection with
the university of Edinburgh and other public institutions.
Origin of society. The precise origin of the society known as the writers to
Use o se . -j^qj. majesty's signet cannot be clearly ascertained, but was doubt-
less nearly coeval with the use of the royal seal or signet as
the token of authority appended or affixed to documents issued
in the name of the king. This custom was seemingly borrowed
from the French, and the earliest tmces of it in Scotland date
from a period some years after the Norman conquest of England.
As is well known, before the art of writing became common,
seals were used by both the king and his subjects as the sign by
which they authenticated the various documents which passed
between them and those with whom they dealt either in the
affairs of state or in those of private life. Not only writs passing
HISTOllY OF THE SOCIETY xi
between sovereigns, but those used in commercial or private
business were sealed ; and even in ecclesiastical transactions,
although the clergy were the chief scribes, seals were used in
place of, or in addition to, written subscriptions.
For the purposes of state, from a comparatively early peiiod Koyai seals used
of Scottish history four seals were used. These were :
First, The great seal, which, so far as records inform us, appears
to have been the earliest in use. It was used for authenticating
royal grants of land in the form of charters and confirmations
of dispositions by subjects. It was also adhibited to protections,
summonses of treason, decrees of forfeiture by parHament and
similar writs. From the time of king David i. it was vinder
the care of the king's chancellor.
Second, The quarter seal, known also as " the testimony
of the gTeat seal," frequently appended to precepts from chanceiy
for infefting crown vassals in their lands, also to commissions and
similar writs, which were likewise issued under the great seal. It
does not appear to have been used much before the reign of king
James iv.
Third, The privy SEAL, found in use in the reign of king
David II., and probably of earlier date. It was attached to writs
affecting persons, such as presentation to benefices, remissions for
crime, gifts of escheat, etc. It also was under the care of a
special officer, known as lord privy seal.
Fourth, The sionet, probably at first the king's own seal, worn
on his finger, and adhibited by himself to his correspondence
and other documents of a private nature. It came to be used ,
in more public matters, and for documents authorising writs to
be passed imder the other seals. This seal was consigned to the
care of a particular ofiicer of state known as the secretary or lord
secretary.
It is from the last-named seal that the society takes its dis- Office of secretary :
tinctive appellation, and its earlier members were those who writers to the signet.
xii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
acted as clei'ks in the office of the king's secretary. This officer
was not, like his successors of later times, merely a secretary of
state intrusted with political and executive business. He was
the king's right hand at the pen, the issuer of the royal manuscript
authority, whether for the ends of state policy, for transactions of
law, or for private purposes. His clerks were engaged in conducting
the public and private correspondence of the sovereign, and, as
the signet was the badge of the secretary's office, his assistants
came to be styled, and are styled in early records, " wryttaris to
the king's singnet."
Their duties. But the work of the writers to the king's signet was not
confined to dealing with the royal correspondence, however im- '
portant that might be. It was their duty to prepare all warrants
for charters or grants to be passed under either the great seal or
the privy seal, such warrants being called from an early period
" signatures," because they bore the signet of the king. In
later times the clerks of the signet signed summonses and other
writs pertaining to the supreme court of justice, which affected
the person or estate of any of the king's lieges. All such documents
ran in the form of letters from the king, and were addressed, in the
case of signatures, to the chancellor or lord privy seal, and in the
other cases, to officers of the law, or to faithful subjects. In this
form all such writs were authenticated by the signet, and it became
the exclusive privilege of the members of the society to prepare or
sign them.
A. D. 1532. Before 1532 the signet alone was the mark of the king's
authority, but after that date the writer was required to sign the
writ, not to add weight to the royal signet, but to make him in-
dividually responsible to the king for the use of it. When
application was made by a subject for the issue of a writ against a
fellow-subject for the recovery of a debt, or for the redress of a
wrong, a writer to the signet, acting as the king's deputy,
made due inquiry as to the justice or reasonableness of the
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xiii
demand. If he then deemed it proper, he issued the required
letters in the king's name, and passed them under the signet,
a privilege confined to the members of this society. The functions
of a writer to the signet were therefore in early times entirely of
an official nature, and so continued down to the beginning of last
century.
It will be evident, however, from what has been said, that this Early notices
society can claim a very ancient descent. The earliest recorded ° ^ *'^^ '
reference to the signet is in the year 1369, when Walter of Ward-
law, who is the first office-bearer recognised by the society, was
the "king's clerk" or secretary. Nevertheless the signet must
have been in use some time previous to that period. Thus in 1369
and in 1371 parliament enacted that no minister of state should
execvite any mandate directed to him under the great seal, the privy
seal, or the private signet, if such mandate were in prejudice of any
person, contrary to statute or common law.' On this, as on other
points of Scottish histoiy, the scantiness of early records denies us
full information. But whatever the date at which a royal signet
began to be used in Scotland, the fact that the secretary was
known as the king's clerk, and that the writers to the signet were
his assistants, indicates that the members of this society are the
professional successors of those officials who, in the earlier period
of Scottish history, were known as the king's clerks.
The very first of these clerks on record, who has left his name on The king's
the writ with an appellation foreshadowing the professional title of °^^ '
this society, is Grento, who wrote the earliest charter known to exist
connected with Scotland. This is the charter granted in 1098 by
king Duncan ii., son of king Malcolm Canmore, conferring certain
lands in East Lothian upon the monks of St. Cuthbert." The
authenticity of this writ, which was long disputed, is now fully
admitted ; and in it, along with the royal seal and the crosses or
' Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. i. = Original among Coldingham charters at
pp. 535, 547. Durham.
xiv THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
marks appended by the king and his nobles, is to be seen the mark
" Grentonis scribtoris," of Grento the ivriter, who penned the charter,
and who also wrote at their respective crosses the names of the
granter and the witnesses.
The next notice of the king's clerks which can be cleai'ly proved
is in the time of king WiUiam the Lion, 1165-1214, who had
several " clerks." It may be asserted that these were ecclesiastics,
1)ut it would appear that all were not so, as we read of Michael, one
of king William's clerks, who held the estate of Wymet or Woolmet,
near Dalkeith, and he possessed also the small estate of Gilbert-
ston, now rej^resented by the farm of Brunstane, near Joppa.
Michael of Woolmet had several children, among whom his estates
were divided.
King William's grandson, Alexander iii., had at least three
clerks, one of Avhom was Thomas "de Carnoto," a prominent
member of the family of Charteris, if not one of its direct
ancestors. He was afterwards made chancellor, and has been
claimed as the first layman appointed to that office.^
The troublous times of the next century deprive us of several
links of the chain ; but from the time of king David ii. and
of Walter of Wardlaw we meet with frequent references to the
king's clerks. King James i. had several, but it does not appear
that any of them were very distinguished.
Sir John Rede In the time of king James iii., however, we find among
the clerks to the secretaiy, one who has left a pleasing character
behind him, sir John Rede, popularly known as " Stobo," perhaps
from the place of his birth, or because he Wiis vicar of that
parish, which was a prebend of Glasgow cathedral. He is also
described as rector of Kirkchrist, probably the parish in Galloway
so called. He held oftice in the reign of king James ii., or
prior to 1460, and in 1473 received from James iii. a recognition
^ Some uncertainty exists as to whether man, as the references to liiin are very inde-
Thomas Charteris was a churchman or a lay- finite.
alias Stobo.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xv
of his services in a pension of £20 a year. He is described
as serving the king and his father in writing letters to the
pope, and to various kings, princes, and magnates beyond the
kingdom ; a statement which confirms the view taken of the work
done by the earher clerks to the signet. It is interesting also to
note that this pension was to repay his outlays for parchment, paper,
red wax and white, and other expenses incurred regarding the
documents written by him.'^ At a later date we hear of his being
sent by king James iv. on a mission to England along with Walter
Chepman, afterwards named. He was known as a poet, and is men-
tioned by Walter Kennedy as a personal friend of William Dunbar,
who, in the Lament for the tnakars, mourns that death
" hes tane last of aw,
Gild gentill Stobo, and Quintyne Schaw."
A colleague of sir John Rede, more celebrated than he, was Walter Chepman,
Walter Chepman, the founder of Scottish printing. He was a ' ''" '"^'" *"^'
wealthy and influential merchant burgess of Edinburgh, but is also
described as one of the clerks of the king's secretary, intrusted
with the keeping of the signet. He is the first "writer to the
king's signet," fonnally so styled. Chepman was high in the
favour of king James iv., and in conjunction with Andrew Myllar, a
bookseller in Edinburgh, embarked on a joint printing enterprise in
the year 1507, under a patent of monopoly from the king. Myllar
furnished the practical experience while Chepman supplied the
capital. Their printing office was in the Cowgate, in a property
belonging to Chepman, at the foot of Blackfriars' wynd. His
own house stood in the High Street, just at the top of the same
wynd.
In 1505 Walter Chepman bought the lands of Ewerland in the
parish of Cramond ; and in 1509 he purchased, from James Ward-
law of Riccarton the estate of Priestfield, now Prestonfield, near
' Exchequer Rollt, vol. yiij. p, 315.
\
xvi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Edinburgh. In 1514 and 1515 he was dean of guild of Edinburgh.
He has left to our times a memorial of his piety and public
spirit in the aisle which he built on the south side of St. Giles'
church; in which also, in 1313, he endowed an altar dedicated
to St. John the evangelist. In 1528, he likewise erected a
chapel of the Holy Rood, at the foot of St. GUes' kirkyard,
adjoining the Cowgate. This he endowed for masses to be said
constantly for the repose of the souls of king James v., the founder
(himself), his deceased wife Maviot Kirkettill, and his second wife
Agnes Cockburne, but more especially for the souls of the late
king James iv. and those who had fallen with him at Flodden.
Chepman died about 1532, and was buried in his own aisle in
St. Giles', where the late Dr. WilUam Chambers erected a tablet
to his memory. His eldest son by his second wife, David, who
predeceased his father, was a merchant and bookbinder in Edin-
burgh. William Chepman, another of the family, was a writer to
the signet.
John Chepman of " Schelis," a nephew of Waltei-, who succeeded
to his uncle's estates in 1532, was also a member of the society. In
1537 he granted an annuity in supplement of his uncle's endowmeut
of St. John's altar in St, Giles'. His wife's name was Isobel
Henderson.
Sir John Beiienden. Aiiothei' early member of the society, who is also particularly
described as a writer to the king's si^et, was John Bannatyne or
Beiienden, for the name is variously spelt. Iii 1528 he was secretary
to Archibald, sixth earl of Angus, and after the death of king
James v. was made justice clerk and director of chancery. Other
names of writers about the same period, and up to the date when
a formal list has been preserved, might be given. The most
prominent however have been mentioned, and suffice to show that
writers or clerks to the king's signet existed from a very early
period of Scotland's official history. »,[
It is in the time of Walter Chepman, or about the years from 1490
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY xvii
to 1494, that we first meet with the term " writares of the singnet "
applied to the clerks of the secretary's office as a body. The
notices appear in the accounts of the treasurer of Scotland. In
one case king James iv. orders gratuities to be given to the
" wrytaris of the signete " for "thare drink siluer" for writing letters.
Community of calling fonned in the middle ages a great bond
of union among those who pursued any employment requiring
special knowledge or skUl. By it the trading guilds were bound
together for common action and self-government. On the followers
of the law it exercised a like power. Besides an acquaintance with
general business, the calling of the writers to the signet required
a knowledge of the forms of law and conveyancing, a mastery of
the art of penmanship, and familiarity with the Latin tongue —
at that time at least a living language. It was almost a necessity
of the life of those times that fellow-workera thus associated
should be united in a society or brotherhood. There is no
authentic evidence of such an incorporation, but, however they
were organised, the writers to the signet formed a little community
to whose pens were intrusted many of the chief business affairs
of the country. It is also worthy of note that while the followers
of art, science, law, medicine, and the teaching profession still wore
the priest's gown, in the "booths" of the early writers to the king's
signet there began that lay professional life which bulks so largely
in our modern world.
It is stated, in some of the proceedings of the society, that its The society »nd
members in early times, in addition to their duties in the secretary's "^""'^ °^ session,
office, acted as clerks in the old courts of judicature known as the
lords of council, the lords auditors, the session and the daily council,
as well as to the privy council. There is not, however, sufficient
information extant to give an exact description of the connection
which existed between the writers to the signet and these ancient
courts; but in 1532, when, with the exception of the privy council,
they were all superseded by the court of session, the relation of the
xviii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
writers to the signet to the new judicature is more clearly defined.
They henceforth formed a part of the legal establishment styled the
college of justice, and the members of the society were called to the
work of clerks in the new court. The lord clerk register, under the
title of " clerk of the registrie, roUis, and of counsale," was made
chief clerk of the session, and under him the writers to the signet
became clerks of court. ^
The court met in the council hall in the old tolbooth of Edin-
burgh. There was but one acting clerk at each sitting. He was
designed the clerk of council, a title in which may be traced a survival
of the defunct court of the lords of council, or perhaps a recognition
of the writer's office as clerk to the king's secret council, of which
that court was a branch. The clerk of council was chosen by
rotation from among the writers to the signet,* and, in respect of
that arrangement, the lord clerk register retained the right of
nominating the clerks of session until 1728, when the patronage
was first reserved in a commission then issued to Alexander, earl of
Marchmont. A single survival of the connection of the clerks of
court with the clerk register's office remains at the present time
in the clerks of session being required to act as the lord clerk
register's deputies at elections of Scottish representative peers.
While one member only of the society thus acted at a time as clerk
of court, all writers to the signet were entitled to be present in
court during the hearing and decision of causes. The importance of
this privilege will be understood when it is remembered that the court
of session, in early times, like the parliament of Paris, upon which
it was largely modelled, did not admit the public to its meetings.^
' It may be noted that in 1524, owing to the appears Irom an act of the lords of council,
troubled state of politics in Scotland, the lord dated the 14th of February 1530, about two
clerk register was, for a time, made the cus- years before the new court was instituted,
todier of all the seals, including the signet, which orders that, "Fra tyme the chancelar
until proper officers were appointed, and lords entir in the tolbuth, yat na manner
' Mackenzie (1716), vol, i. p, 247 ; Bankton of man remane yrin hot advocats and sic able
(1752), vol. ii. p, 494. men to leir practik as sail pleiss the chancelare,"
' How strict the rule was on this subject "Yat the massers keips the counsale house
HlSTOllY OF THE SOCIETY'-'-' xix.
In the act of parliament by which the court of session was Regulations for
established, there is no reference to the clerks of court or of the ^i^^et.^ *1532!
signet, but in the first act of sederunt of the new judicature, passed
on the 27th of May 1532, there are vai-ious provisions regulating the \i,u
working of the members of the society. Among other things, it ■'"'"'^* ** '"
is enacted, " that all clerkis of the signet be sworne to exerse yair
oflSces lauchfuUie and diligentlie, and nane of yame sail reveil nor
mak manifest to ony man quhat they writt or dois for ane uther, bot
sail keip all closs and secrete. Item, yat na clerk of ye signet tak
mair for ye writtin of an bill bot aucht pennies, and for the writtin
of an lettre apoun ane decrete of the lordis and deliverance bot,
twentie pennies, nor for nane uther letter mair yan was usit in our
soveran lordis tyme yat last decessit, quhome God assolze, under
the pane of tinsale of his office. Item, yat nane fruster ane uther
of his labours and proffit, yat everilk clerk of the signet yat
writtis ony bills mark ye samin with his awin name in ye bill
within."
In the thirty-ninth act of the fourth parliament of king
James v., which met at Edinburgh on the 7th day of June 1535,
"it is ordanit" anent justice ayres, i.e. justiciary cii'cuit courts,
"yat in tymes cuming ye keipers of ye signet sail ansuer na
lettres for calling of ony personis and parties to sic particvdar
diettes bot gif ye samin be subscrivit with the clerk writer to
the signet " (clerk of court) " and justice clerk and his deputes."
Lord Stair informs us that the writers to the signet " are
every year publicly called and commanded to keep the accustomed
dure in yis manner, yat is to say, yat the dur to be wai'dit, and yreftir punist at our plessour,
stand oppin, and twa of yame, ane on ilk syde for thair disobedience."
at the uter dur, uyer twa, ilk ane of yaim at " Geif ony persoun forsaid, be toUerance of
ye iumest dur, and ane masser to be on the the chancellar and lords, remains within the
flure within, to call and do as the chaucelar counsale house in tyme yat ony mater is put
commands him. And that na man entir but in disputatioun, yat yai be sworn not to revele
leif of the chaucelar, fra tyme yat yai be ye oppunzeouns and arguments of ye lords
commandit to byde furth, under the pane of havand votis, and geif ye contrar be attendit
warding of thair personns, and geif yai dissobey, upon yaim, yai never to half entrens agace. "
ix
THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
Multiplicatiou
of the signet.
First iniuutes,
1594. Com-
mission by lord
secretary.
styles."^ What this ceremony was it seems impossible to ascertain.
Nor does it appear whether it was the court or the lord clerk
register who gave this annual charge to the writera.
But though the writers or clerks to the signet were thus
subject to the lord clerk register as regarded the business of the
court of session, they stUl retained their relations to the Lord
secretary, who was the original head of their body. An episode in
the history of the signet in the year 1541 reveals the fact that this
token of authority had been multiplied. In the beginning of that
year a thief had misappropriated the royal signet, the seal used
in the king's own business. To remedy this, king James v., in a
letter passed under the privy seal, wrote to the secretary, stating
the necessity of having three small signets for service in the session
and justiciary courts, and for the king's " awne directionis," and
desiring him to order a third signet to be made in place of the
one that had been stolen, to be used in the king's work. He was
directed also to "reform" or remodel the three other signets, great
and small, by advice of the council. It is thus evident that the
use of the signet was extended, and so also was the business of its
officials. The institution of the college of justice, with all that
had taken place affecting its proceedings and officials, was ratified
by parliament in the year 1540, and since its foundation the writers
to the signet have been members of the college. Among their
privileges as such wei'e exemption from payment of certain taxes,
and the right of suing or being sued only in the supreme court.
The former right led in later times to many disputes between
the society and the city authorities of Edinburgh.
Nothing specially important is on record bearing on the history
of the society for the next half century, but in 1594 we are
enabled to chronicle its doings by the aid of its own minutes,
which are preserved from that date. They begin with the
narrative of a commission granted by sir Richard Cockburne of
' stair's Institutions, iv. 3. 32.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xxi
Clerkingtoun, lord secretary, in favour of Mr. John Layng, his
depute, and keeper of the signet, and eighteen other members of
the society appointed as commissioners. The lord secretary directs
them, or any nine of them conjunctly (the depute keeper of the
signet being always one), to convene whenever they think it ex-
pedient, and to take order with "all abuses, falsities, and in-
formalities in their vocation, committit or to be commit, by any
ordinaiy member and brother thereof, master and servant," and
they are to remedy all such. They are also " to conclude, determine,
and sett doun all actis, statutis, and ordinancis necessare, under
the panes of deprivatioune simpliciter of office, suspensioun, and
pecuniall panes accordingly to the wechtiness of the offence."
The commissioners are likewise to make and enforce all needful
regulations concernmg the trial of the qualifications of such as
shall be presented by the lord secretary for admission to the
society, and to prescribe the manner of their admission. In the
event of vacancies arising among the commissioners through death,
or otherwise, their places were to be filled up by others " of the
maist ancient and best qualified ordinare" writers to the signet.
The commissioners also in that year specially " ratifies and appreives
all and quhatsumevir acts maid of befoir in ony tyme bigane pre-
ceiding the dais heirof be yair predicessouris and pi'omittis, to hald
hand to ye observing zairof according to gude conscience."
Such are the main provisions of the earliest commission extant Evidence as to
in the records of the society, and it is of special interest because the ^"go J" °****"''°°
tenor of it is suggestive of an established style from which it is
evident that the constitution and governing body of the society were
then fixed virtually as they exist at present. The king's secretary,
or lord secretary, was their recognised chief, and his depute was the
acting head of the society, while the commissioners appointed by
the secretaiy discharged the same duties towards the body as now.
It appears also from the minutes that such commissions were
renewed from time to time, or were ratified by successive lord
xxii THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS Tp THE SIGNET
secretaries, generally about the date of their respective appointments.
Thus in 1596 lord Menmure confirms the preceding commission ;
in 1598 lord Balmerino ratifies the acts, and in 1610 sir Alexander
Hay deals in the same way with the commission. In 1612 a new
commission in like terms was granted by the famous sir Thomas
Hamilton, afterwards first earl of Haddington ; again, an imperfect
one was issued by him in 1626, perhaps left incomplete because
of his retirement about that date. Other such writs by various
secretaries are noted from time to time, but those above mentioned
are sufficient to indicate the practice. The style of each was
like that of its predecessor. • w
Bye-laws, 1594. The whole of the commissioners named by sir Richard Cockburn
in 1594 did not accept office, but those who did so drew up a set
of bye-laws for the government of the society, called in the
name of their chief, " my lord secretares injunctiones," but in part
at least the result of their own deliberations. These bye-laws are
deserving of careful study. It is specially noteworthy that they
contain stipulations limiting the number of the society's members.
Thus it is ordained that " no one shall be admitted to the signet
nor to the use of the office thereof but by the decease of one of the
brethren ordinary writers of the signet, and then to receive the son,
servant, or apprentice of the person deceased." But this rule not
appearing strict enough, the commissioners proceed to Umit the future
number of members to twenty-four. In doing so they show an earnest
desire for the welfare of the society ; they call to mind " the treuth
and honestie of thair predecessouris, ordinary writtaris to the
signet, quhilk proceidit upoun thair feu nummer, and now be the
admissioun of ane multitude thair is drawin upoun the maist pairt of
thaime povertie, and, be the said povertie [they] ar the reddier to
be inducit to committ falsettis," for which reason the commissioners
recommend a reduction of the number. The exceptions to this pro-
vision in favour of those who were not held to be ordinary members,
show us the offices held at that time by the members of the society.
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY ''• :'Tiri xxiii
"Undir this act sail nawyis be comprehendit the ordiner clerkis
befoir the sessioun, secretare, depute keipare of the signet, clerkis
to the justiciarie, and clerk depute of the secreit counsale." ^
In a letter from the lord secretary (sir Alexander Hay) to the
deputy keeper, read at a general meeting on the 8 th of November
1609, the same anxiety for the high standing of the society is
manifested. His lordship says : " The multitude of wryttaris to the
signet haffing bred amange thame selffis disordour, and thairwith
occasioned disdaine and contempt of that place, whiche in former
tymes wes in so muche credite, is a matter no les grevious unto me
than to thame who feillis more sensiblye the smart of it. The too
haistye desyre of many men to be maisteris hes maid sume of thame Jj
servanttes, and no doubt want of employment bringing with it
povertie wUl produce sone such errours to fall in thair handis as may
much disgrace the place." Accordingly it is to be the society's aim
to limit its membership, and thereby to protect alike the interests of
the public and the privileges of the favoured twenty-four members.
As a means towards this end, the secretary recommends the deputy
keeper and commissioners to use great strictness in dealing with
deUnquents, whom they are required to deprive or suspend. " Lett
not preposterous pitie heirefter," says he, "move ather you or
thame to spair or mitigate the punishment imposed, that so,
quhome dewtie can not move, feare sail inforce to walk warlie in
their calling."
Another act, of 13th February 1613, has also a bearing upon the Regulations ■
status of the society, and is typical of others of the same character, bus^ess!^'^*
It aims at limiting the writers to the signet to their own calling, and
preventing their engaging in more general business, as, in earlier
times, sir John Rede, Walter Chepman, and other members of the
society had done. "My lord secretar and his commissioneris,
' On the 14th of November, in the following until the whole number of the society be
year also, the lord secretary promises that he reduced to twenty-fouv.
will nowise admit any person to the signet
strife.
xxiv THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
understanding that sindrie of the craftls of the burgh of Edinburgh
ar burdening sum of the wryteris to the signet to becum thair
clerkis, and to keip thair assemblies and meetingis, contrare to
equitie and ressoun, and to the reputatioun of the saidis wryteris,
quhais calling hes evir bene repute mair honourabill nor thairwith to
becum clerkis to sic inferior callings," therefore " it sail nawyis be
lesum " to the members of the society to accept any such clerkship,
but they are " to attend and serve our soverane lordis lieges in the
said vocatioun of wryting to the signet, quhairby the samin be not
disgracit with the saidis base and unworthie clerkshipis, vmder pane
of deprivatioun."
Rules against Another point of interest in the regulations of 1594 is the care
taken to prevent any strife arising in the brotherhood, a character-
istic feature of the old life of such societies. "The commissioneris,
remembering the grite unitie and gude concord standing amangis the
haill brethrene, ordinare writteris to the signet, (praisit be God,)
and willing the samyn to incres and continew, thairfoir statutes and
ordanis that gif ony of the brethrene being pursewit or accusit of
ane uthir brother for contravenying of the actis sal happin to minass
or injure utheris," by word or deed, he shall, for the first fault, be
suspended " ay and quhill he have satisfeit the partie oflPendit, and
forder induring the saidis commissioneris willis " ; and for the second
fault he shall be deprived of his office " in all tyme cuming, but ony
favour or restitutioun to be grantit to him thairfor," In 1656,
likewise, a similar penalty of suspension was imposed on any brother
threatening or injuring another, in addition to payment of a fine
of £20 to the " box," or common fund of the society, and for every
subsequent fault a second suspension with the fine doubled toties
quoties. Offended parties also are required to carry their grievances
to the commissioners for redress under a penalty of £10 to the " box."
It is pleasing in this connection to note that although the
writers to the signet grew, in the seventeenth century, to be a body
of considerable size, the old feeling of brotherhood continued to be
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY xxv
loyally cherished, and any slight offered to a member was regarded
as an offence against the society. Hence such acts as that passed
in 1647, "that everie wryter being warnit to anotheris buriall, his
wyff or chyldrene, and refuisand or being absent, sail pay 12s."
There was also a due sense maintained of the dignity and interests
of the calling. Thus, in 1610, the commissioners ordered that "no
ordinary writer in time of session be found drinking in taverns."
Again, in 1658, Patrick Wilson is suspended on confessing to
" the exercesing of ane uther office and imployment at Kirkaldie,
by being ane waiter." His chief offence, however, at that time
of Enghsh domination was, perhaps, that he had received for his
unprofessional labours a "sallarie" from "the Englishes." In the
same year, John Alexander was suspended because of conduct
injurious to the calling, in that he had carried on business " at ane
feckless and unworthie pryce, below the ordinar rait of wry ting."
In the early minutes, with the same laudable end of keeping intrants,
the society select, are many entries relating to the examination
of intrants, and the testing of their knowledge and fitness
for the calling. In 1594, it is provided that new members
shall be admitted only "in public conventioun eftir examinatioun
and try all." That this was carefully seen to would appear from
the cautious finding given in on the 3d of November 1606, when the
examinators report that Thomas Crombey "wes, in sum reasonabil
maner, qualifeit to the office." In 1609, it is further appointed
that intrants must receive the support of two-thirds of the com-
missioners in order to render their election valid.
For a similar reason, and also for the public safety, the society Fraud,
took many precautions to prevent fraud. Among other proposed
remedies the brethren, in 1647, ordained "ane bulk to be maid
quharin every wryter to the signet saU gif up the names of thair
haill prenteissis and servandis, that thair names may be inroUit in
that bulk, and ane lytill pateme of thair hand writt insert thairin,
1^0 be conferrit with thair letteris sent to the signet."
d
xxvi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
These and several other entries in the minutes give us some idea
from its own earliest extant records, of the internal economy of the
The signet societj. Those poiuts of its history, however, which were affected
civii"war/ ^7 outside events are not unworthy of notice, and may be briefly
touched upon until we reach the present century. It is observable
that the minutes show scarcely any traces of the troubled times
which came upon the country in the reign of king Charles i., or
of the excitement which attended the ecclesiastical and political
dispvites between that monarch and his Scottish subjects. But
while the society records nothing of the matter, it may not be
irrelevant to notice certain adventures which befell the badge of
office from which it took its name, and which must have affected
at least temporarily the society itself In 1640, we learn that
the proper signet had been carried off to England, and some incon-
venience was felt for the want of it. To meet the difficulty an act
of sederunt was passed by the court of session, and ratified by
parliament, declaring that all summonses, letters, charges, suspen-
sions, signatures, or other writs which usually passed under the
signet, were to be presented to Mr. George Halden, W.S., who
should, at the place where the wax was placed, sign a wai'rant for
the writ passing the necessaiy seals, though not signeted. For this
the usual fee for the signet was to be paid and to be made forth-
coming to the secretary, or, in his absence, to his keeper of the
- signet. The act further prohibited, under penalties, the keeper of
the signet from taking that or any seal furth of Scotland.^
At a later date, in 1644, we find that the signet was affected by
the proceedings of the extreme covenanting party, who were then
gaining power. Because William Hamilton, earl of Lanark, then
secretary, had not signed the covenant, he was accounted "an
enemy to religion," and the " benefite of the signet " was arrested or
closed in the hands of Mr. Harry Maule, his depute, the result being
that no writs could pass for the time.^ The earl, however, sQoft
> Acts of Parliamenf, vol. v. p. 269. ^ Ibid. vol. vi. part i. p. 89. oi
HISTORY OP THE SOCIETY xxvii
afterwards took the required oath, and the arrestment was removed.
About the same time the secretary addressed a petition to parlia-
ment, which narrates another adventure of the signet. He stated
first that sir James Galloway (master of requests in England) had
usurped his place as secretary ; alleging some difference between a
secretary and a secretary of state, and had obtained letters from
the king requiring the Scottish council to acknowledge sir James as
secretary, which the coimcil found to be a gi-eat wrong and pre-
judicial to the kingdom as interfering with the elections of officers of
state. Lord Lanark declared that he was sole secretary of state
for Scotland, appointed by the king (Charles i.), who had handed
him the signet in open parliament. He stated further that while he Signet in open
was in close prison at Oxford, the signet had been taken from him
by the English secretaries and given to sir Robert Spottiswood,
whose loyalty to the covenant was much suspected. The earl
desired to have it affirmed that he was the secretary, which petition
the parliament duly granted.^ The narrative of the presentation of
the signet to its official custodier is of considerable interest, as,
although this seems to be the only case recorded, the king probably
followed a long-established precedent.
The earl of Lanark remained secretary until his loyalty to king The civil war.
Charles and the defeat of the army of the " Engagement " drove him
from office and then from the kingdom. His place was taken, in
March 1649, by William, earl of Lothian. Previous to his appoint-
ment, and after the death of king Charles i., the signet, with other
seals, had been placed in the chancellor's custody, and parliament
ordered the signet of the late king to be used in his successor's
reign. Afterwards, in open parliament, it was handed to the
marquis of Argyll on behalf of the new secretary, who, however,
did not hold it long. The success of the English invasions in
1650 and 1651 led to a complete overturn of the government of
Scotland, and the office of lord secretary and keeper of the signet
' Acta (if Parliament, vol. vi. part i, p. 182.
xxviii THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
fell into abeyance. The country had no longer a separate and
independent administration, and there was no place for many of the
old officials. In 1652 the court of session was set aside, and in its
stead came the commissioners for the administration of justice in
Scotland, a body appointed by the EngUsh executive, and holding
office during pleasure. Several Scottish lawyers of eminence, one or
two of whom had been lords of session, were placed upon the
commission, but its number was made up by the appointment of
Englishmen, whose chief qualification seems to have been a firm
adherence to the new government. The court, which had no
president, was modelled upon a different system from that which it
H had superseded. The college of justice became for the time a tradition
rather than a reality, and the society could no longer be designed
as the writers to his majesty's signet. The constitution of the court
of the commissioners was foreign, arbitrary, and subversive of the
ancient traditions and liberties of the land, yet it has left behind it
a good reputation for industry, and for the fairness of its decisions,
due probably to the upright character of some of its leading members.
Commissioners The Commissioners of justice issued a commission in 1654
theT*'?!*"'^ appointing as deputy keeper of the signet an Englishman named
Samuel Mosley, who seems to have been a kinsman of Edward
Mosley, one of their own number. Evidently the office had lain
for some time vacant, or at least dormant, as appears from an
entry requiring writers who have been admitted since 1652 to pay
Mr. Mosley the casualty belonging to his place, which " his pre-
decessors, keepers of the signet, were in use to receive of befoir."
In 1655 the salary of the keeper was reduced from £140 to £100.
A new commission, recorded in 1657, proceeds from sir WUliam
Lockhart, younger of Lee, one of his highness' council in
Scotland.^ By it, sir William's brother, Mr. John Lockhart,
afterwards lord Castlehill, was appointed keeper, and a letter
' Sir William Lockhart was a well-known Protector, whose niece, Robina Shouster, he
friend and political adviser of the Lord married.
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY xxix
of acceptance from him is recorded along with the commission.
In 1658 a new name appears, that of Mr. James Crawfurd. He is
always called deputy keeper, although there does not seem to
have been any principal keeper between lord Lothian and the
duke of Lauderdale, who was appointed in 1660.*
There is no mention in the minutes of sir Peter Wedderburn, The society
afterwards lord Gosford, whose commission as deputy keeper was restoration,
dated 28th August 1660. On the 17th of November following,
a commission was produced, granted by John, earl of Lauderdale,
principal secretary of state for Scotland, appointing " Mr. WilUam
Schax'pe keeper depute of his majesty's signet."^ The first
proceeding of the new deputy keeper was to cause the society's
officer to be admitted of new to his post, evidently on the ground
that all proceedings which had been taken during the former
administration wei'e invalid. The officer, having been sworn, was
forthwith ordered " to warn James Allan, late treasurer, Mr. George
Cruickshank, late clerk, and William E,os, late proctirator fiscal
to the commissioners, writers to the signet in the time of the
late usurpers, to appear before the commissioners on Monday
the 19th inst., and the said clerk to produce the book of register
in his custody." At a meeting, held two days later, the clei'k,
treasurer, and procurator fiscal compeared as commanded. Mr.
George Cruickshank was then discharged from office, and declared
to be no longer clerk ; the fiscal was dealt with in the same
way ; and James Allan received a new appointment as treasurer
" and keeper of the public box." Thus all the office-bearers
were summarily deprived of their old appointments. The officer
was next ordered " to warn all writers to the signet, and all
others pretending to be so dimng the late usurpation, to be at
' Incidental notices of the signet during this - Mr. William Sharp was brother of Mr.
period inform us that in 1655 a signet for James Sharp, minister of Crail, who a month
Scotland was engraved by an English artist, after this date was appointed archbishop of
Thomas Symous, and sent north in 1656 with St. Andrews,
the other seals.
XXX THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
the meeting of the commissioners to-morrow, at ten o'clock, in
the parliament hall." On the following day, the 20th of November,
the commissioners met again, and with them a great number of
other writers, " and also of those pretending they had liberty to
be writers to the signet during the usurpation." Mr. Sharp then
required them all to exhibit to him their warrants of admission,
upon either of the two following days, discharging all those not
lawfully admitted by the lords' secretaries for the time," or by
such " as had power from his majesty, or his royal progenitors,
from exercising the office of writer to the signet, at their peril."
Those writers who had been admitted between 1608 and 1650
produced their commissions on the 21st and 2 2d of November,
which were then mmuted and returned. There appear, however,
to have been about twenty-five members of the society, admitted
after 1650, whose commissions were now declared void by reason
of failure to have them formally renewed. In the course of the
following year, eighteen of these members were admitted of new,
the minutes stating that they had been formerly apprentices to
such and such a member of the society. Upon paying their fees a
second time they received new commissions. Regarding the other
writers who were deprived by these proceedings, the minutes give
us no information.^
The society On the 12th of January 1663 a special meeting of the college
of justice, that is to say, of the advocates, clerks of the session,
and writers to his majesty's signet, was held in the inner parliament
house, to authorise payment of a tax by the members of the college
who held land in Edinburgh. The " English usurpers " on a former
occasion had fixed the tax at " one in the hundred," on the valued
rents, and this proportion was now to be paid — partly for behoof of
the lords of session and partly for the benefit of the king's revenue.
At this meeting also, the keeper of the parliament house was required
' It may be noted that, for some reason, the it was 0{)ened by parliament for inbringing
signet had been closed at this time. In 1661, the king's rents. - ^d)
taxed in 1663.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xxxi
to show his warrant, which, if it was from the magistrates only, was
to be null. He had been appointed by the provost and council of
Edinburgh during " the late cessation of administration of justice,"
whereas the real power of appointment lay only with the lords of
session. Incidentally we learn that a deputation was appointed
to wait upon the dean of guild and town council of Edinburgh to
desire that " the backseats in the loft of the lords of session, in the
new kirk of St. Geilles," might, as of old, be reserved for the
advocates and writers only.
Two subsequent meetings of the college of justice were held SaieofLeith
on the 11th and 16th of September 1663, convened by the dean of " * ^'
faculty, to obtain the consent of the society, along with that of the
faculty of advocates, to the sale of the citadel of Leith, by the earl of
Lauderdale, on behalf of the crown, to the magistrates of Edinburgh.
The purpose of the proposed sale is said to be for obviating of the
detriment which would arise to the burgh of Edinburgh through
the inhabitants " by the said citadel," trafficking and holding
^lal•kets there.
In a letter presented to the commissioners, on 29th October 1663,
lord Lauderdale undertook to limit the number of writers to the
signet to three-score. The commissioners thanked his lordship for
the letter, but it does not appear that anything more came of it.
The privy council's action against the holding of conventicles The society and
caused some trouble to the society. At a meeting on the 21st
of December 1676, a list is ordered to be drawn up of all such aa
" keep chambers in the burgh of Edinburgh, either as notaries or
unfreemen," who have not yet taken the test, in terms of the act.
On the 14th of February 1678, the deputy keeper, sir William
Scharpe,^ summoned the writers to the signet to a special meeting,^
and informed them that he had received special instructions from
the lords of session to bring them together, and to direct their
' be had been knighted in 1669. out a formal excuse were fined a rex dollar
^ ^lethren absent from tl^t meeting with- each.
xxxii THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
attention to the act of regulation passed by the lords of the
privy council on the 11th of the same month. That act prescribed
a bond to be signed by all members of the college of justice, lords
of session, advocates, clerks, and writers to the signet, as well as
by " heritors, liferenters, and masters for their tennents and othei-s."
This bond having been read over and considered, the society,
" in regard to the great importance thereof," deferred further
action until another meeting appointed to be held four days later
in the " inner house of the parliament or new session house
of Edinburgh." To that meeting the brethren "wer all dewlie
wairned be the officer, with certification to such as wer absent,
and not excused, that each of them should be unlawed."
When the society met again, on the 18th of February, sir
WUliam once more produced the act and " the bond of regularities,"
and, after " serious consideration," the bond was subscribed by " the
commissioners and remanent bretheren." The bond is in the follow-
ing terms : — " We under subscry vers, deput keiper of, and writters
to his majistie's signet, doe faithfuUie bind and oblige ws that we, our
wifes, bairnes, and servants respectivelie shall no wayes be present
at any conventicles and disorderlie meittings in tyme comeing, bot
shall live orderlie in obedience to ye law, under ye penalties contained
in the acts of parliament made yranent. As also, we bind and oblige
ws that our whole tennents and cottars respectively, yr wifes, bairnes,
and servants shall lykewayes refraine and abstaine from the saids
conventicles, and other illegall meittings not owtherized by the law,
and that they sail live orderlie in obedience to the law, and further
that we nor they sail not resett, supplie or commoun with forfitted
persones, intercommouned ministers, or vagrant preachers, bot sail
doe our outmost endeavors to apprehend yr persones. And in caice
our said tennents, cottars, and yr forsaids saU contravein, we shall
tak and apprehend any persone or persones gviilty yrof and present
ym to the judge ordinar that they may be fined or imprisoned
therefor as is provydit in the acts of parliament made yranent.
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xxxiii
Otherwayes we shall remove ym and their families from off our
grand. And if we sail faillie yeirin, we shall be lyable to such
penalties as the said delinquents have incurred by the law," etc.
The murder of archbishop Sharp in 1679 was followed immedi- The college of
ately by the rising in the west country, which began with defiance of foot."
of the ruling powers at Rutherglen, and the defeat of Claverhovxse
at Drumclog. These events threw all adherents of the government
into serious alarm, and the college of justice was laid under warlike
requisition. The writers to the signet along with the advocates
"and certain clerks of session, met accordingly on 13th June
1679," in the parliament house, where they "elected, nominat,
and choysed" the officers of the " coUedge of justice there companie
of foote, to be putt out be them for his majesty's service"
against the insurgent covenanters. The officers chosen were sir
Andrew Birnie, advocate, dean of faculty, captain ; sir William
Sharp of StonyhHl, knight, keeper of his majesty's signet, lievi-
tenant ; and Mr. James Grahame, advocate, ensign. On the 20th
of June following, Hugh Wallace, W.S., was elected "ayd lieve-
tennent " to the company.
On 15th June the rising was brought to an end by the Taxing the bills,
battle of Bothwell brig, and, in the following February, we find
the commissioners of the signet somewhat troubled about the
expenses in which the raising of the company had involved the
society. They consider several articles charged for "to be very
high," and they desire information from the dean of faculty as to
where the colours and liveries " ar secured, to be made furthcoming
when use sail be of them upon any future occasion." We learn
fi:om a later minute that the society's share of the expenses of the
fitting out of the college of justice company of foot was two
hundred merks, being one-third of the whole cost. It would be
interesting to know what became of the arms, colours and uniforms
here referred to.
In the early part of the year 1688, it was proposed by the
xxxiv THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Apprentices and government of king James the seventh, that the writers to the
anti-popery riots.
Signet should be held bound "for their apprentices and servants,
that they shall live peaceably and obediently to the laws." The
occasion of this action on the part of the authorities was the
■r, occurrence of a serious riot at Holyrood, excited by the fitting up
of the royal chapel there as a Eoman catholic place of worship.
This seems to have been the first of a series of outbreaks preceding
the revolution. The society, on 11th February 1688, appointed a
deputation to consult with the lord president and dean of faculty on
this subject, and to represent that the members were in a difierent
position from other employers, in respect that their apprentices were,
in many cases, but little under their control, and further, that it
could not be alleged that any of the writers' apprentices or servants
had been engaged in the late tumult.
The revolution. The fact of the revolution in 1688-9 is passed over in silence
by the minutes, although the change of government had the efiect
for a time of closing the signet. It was opened by royal proclama-
tion on 10th July 1689, but only fourteen days later it was again
closed by parliament in consequence of a dispute between that
court and the king as to the right to nominate the lords of session.
The signet was reopened on 15th October 1689, while letters of
horning bearing date between the arrival of kmg William in Britain
and the period of reopening were declared to be null.^ But despite
this silence as to the change of monarch, we find the society some
years later, on 18th April 1696, entering into a bond of association for
support and defence of his majesty king Wilham's " most sacred per-
son and government," and of the protestant religion, "against the
late king James and the pretended prince of Wales and all their
agents." We do not wonder, after this, to find a like zeal shown by
the society regarding members of its own body, and when, on the
• There is a slight reference to passing events slone of the revolutione and confusiones in the
in a minute of 7th December 1692, where it is countrie, there has not been a full meetting of
stated "that this long tyme bygane by occa- the wry tters. "
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY ^±iit
5th of April 1697, the commissioners were told that John Alexander, An alleged
" late wryter to the signet, one of ther pensioners," had " turned W'^^^* '° ^^^
papist," the payments to him were stopped " untill he declair
under his hand that he is not papist, and renounces the principles
thereof." The poor man, however, seems to have been unjustly 1
accused, as, on the 24th of November following, a committee
appointed for this matter was able to report that John Alexander
had "renounced and disowned all popery, and principles thereof,
and that he never maintained the same, and that it was a calumnie
against him." His pension was accordingly at once restored.
In the same year George Dallas of St. Martin's, W.S., presented J^^Uas'
to the society for the use of its members, his " Book of Styles," which
seems to have been the first book owned by the writers to the
signet as a body.^
Incidentally it may be noted that in 1697, John Cheisley, a son, John Cheisley.
or possibly a nephew, of John Cheisley of Dairy, the notorious
assassin of lord president sir George Lockhart of Lee, was admitted
a writer to the signet. He seems to have been possessed by
something of the extraordinary disposition and obstinate temper
which characterised the ill-fated laird of Dairy, and his well-known
daughter, Kachel, lady Grange. John Cheisley was but ten years
a member of the society, yet his name occurs seventeen times in
the minutes — a prominence due to his frequent irregularities and
malversations, which, in the end, led to his being deprived of his
commission.
On 1st December 1701, the society approved of an address for Death of king
presentation to king William, " upon this junctier," by which term '""*^
they evidently mean the recent death of king James vii. The
address was signed by " the wholl body of the wreitters present."
By the treaty of union in 1707 it is enacted that vacancies tuo union.
^ In 1706, also, the society showed its revise " a parcel] of styles," which the author,
interest in legal literature by appointing a, Mr. John Spotswood, advocate, submitted for
committee of the writers to consider and the purpose, prior to publication.
xxxvi THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
Episcopal
clergy.
Precautions
against
Jacobites.
among the lords ordinary in the court of session, in the filling
up of which there had previously been no restriction, should hence-
forward be filled by the appointment of advocates or writers to
the signet only.
In 1711 and 1712 events outside the society are noticed by
occasional collections among its members for the rehef of those
ministers who, refusing to conform to presbytery, had been re-
duced to great straits. On the 27th of November 1712, a general
meeting " haveing considered a petition given in by the episcopal
clergie, doe appoint master James Baillie, present thesaurer,
to pay to their collectors a sum not exceeding ten pounds sterling
of charitie, and that with his first conveniency." This is from
" the box " ; but, at the same time, it is " resolved that a voluntar
contribution be collected from all the members of the societie." In
supplement of the above donation, directions are given also that a
report be presented to the first general meeting setting forth "how
the said money is applyed." Other voluntary contributions for this
purpose were frequently made from this time onwards till 1751,
In 1745 the collection amounted to ,£20, 2s. 6d.
We find evidence of the disturbance of the political atmosphere
in 1715, in the minute of the 9th of November in that year, which
relates that the members of the society were " advertised that they
should take care what persons they take into their chambers as
prentices or servants, and that they should entertain none but those
who should be well afiected to the government, and make no
disturbance in the place." On the 17th of the same month, Chai-les
Chalmers of Portlethin, a member of the society, but not in legal
practice, was killed at Sheriffmuir, fighting for the chevalier.
The rising of 1745 was joined by John Hay of Eestalrig, W.S.,
who had held office as fiscal, treasurer, and substitute keeper of
the signet. He was appointed treasurer to prince Charles, and
ultimately fled with him to France. In 1746 he was attainted on
a charge of treason. Mr. Colquhoun Grant, W.S., also joined the
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY xxxvii
army of the chevalier. At the battle of Prestonpans he particularly
distinguished himself.^
On the 18th of June 1746, on a request from the lords of The duke of
session, the society agreed to join the other divisions of the Cumberland,
college of justice in waiting " in their formality s, attended by their
clerks," upon the duke of Cumberland, on his return from the north
after CuUoden.
In 1759 the society, in view of a threatened French invasion, French in vasior
unanimously voted a hundred guineas "as an encouragement to
persons to enlist themselves in his majesty's service, for the defence
of their country." In 1778 a sum of five hundred guineas was War with
voted towards raising in Edinburgh a regiment for service in the '"^'^"'*'
American war. ;.
In 1779 an address was presented to king George iii. by the
coUege of justice and the court of exchequer " upon the present
situation of public affairs," which appears to refer to the war then
going on against America and Fx'ance. It is signed for the college
of justice by the heads of the several bodies, judges, advocates,
and writers to the signet. In 1792, the society, having evidently
in view the contest in which the country was involved with the
French revolutionaiy government, resolved unanimously " that the
members, feeling themselves free and happy under the present
excellent and unrivalled constitution, held it their duty and
their interest to support and defend it, and that at the hazard of
their lives and fortunes." On the 12th of February 1798, two
hundred guineas were subscribed towards the support of the state
" at the present crisis of affairs," and it was further resolved that, if
government should require additional aid, the society would, from
time to time, come " cheerfully forward and give every assistance in
their power." On the 10th of July following, the members assessed
' The prince, at the first levee held by him himself as a mark of personal esteem. See
at Holyrood-house, publicly thanked Mr. Grant, Kay's Portraits, vol. i. pp. 418, 419.
and presented him with a small profile cast of
xxxviii THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
themselves for a year at the rate of two per cent, on their valued
rent for the relief of the wives and families of soldiers engaged in
the French war. In 1814 there is a minute of an address presented
to the prince I'egent, signifying the satisfaction of the society
at the happy state of public affairs, and the prospect of peace,
arising from the close of the war and the surrender of Paris.
The war broke out anew in the following year, but the long peace
which followed the campaign of 1815 not unfitly represents the
state of the society during the same period. Its external
history thenceforth is mainly the history of the library, the new
buildings for which were completed in 1815.
In 1822 the society's attention was turned towards the opening
up of swifter communication between Edinburgh and London. A
committee appointed for this purpose, having considered several
proposed alterations of the road, reported in favour of one by which
the mail should " run from Catterick Bridge by Hexham, crossing
the waterfall, and thence to Edinburgh by Jedburgh." This route,
they found, would save thirty-three miles, and, allowing for five
stoppages, could be travelled in forty-two hours, so that letters
might be delivered in the one city on the second day after theii'
despatch from the other.
The minutes contain various notices of the society's share in the
reception of king George iv., on his visit to Edinbvirgh in that
year. In 1842 also there are similar entries referring to the first
visit of queen Victoria and the prince consort to Scotland.
In 1838 the society petitioned parUament in favour of Mr.
Eowland Hill's scheme of postal reform.
In 1859 some traces of the old military spirit of the society
appear in a minute which provides for the embodying of a writers
to the signet company of the city of Edinburgh rifle volunteer
corps.
In August 1871 the writers to the signet joined with other
public bodies in celebrating the hundreth anniversary of the birth
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xxxix
of Sir Walter Scott, who was the son of a writer to the signet, and
himself an apprentice.
No better conclusion of its history can be found than one of Her majesty's
1 . , p jubilee.
the last entries in the minutes for the year 1887, which refers to
an address to queen Victoria congratulating her majesty on the
completion of the jubilee of her glorious reign.^
The society has passed through many varied experiences, and
some of these have wrought their changes upon the working Hfe of
its members. Nevertheless, the outstanding mark of their calling
remains as of old, that they write to her majesty's signet; and
the loyalty of the writers to the queen tinder whom they now
serve is quickened by the memory of the society's time-honoured
connection with the long line of the Scottish monarchs. ,,
In addition to the general history of the society, a few parti-
culars of what may be called its more personal history, may now
be noticed. These are more easily treated separately from the
main narrative. Among such particulars, a brief reference to the
deputy keepership claims the first place.
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY KEEPEE.
The ancient dignity of lord secretary or secretary for Scotland
was abolished in 1746, and the keepership of the signet thus
became vacant. Thenceforth till 1817 the keeper of the signet was
appointed as a separate officer. In 1817 the office was united to
that of lord clerk register, and it is still held by that official. The
restoration in 1885 of the Scottish secretaryship of state revived
' In honour of the same occasion the society keepers of the signet during the past fifty years
also erected in the upper hall of the signet of her majesty's reign ; and of Colin Mackenzie
library, a stained glass window, bearing along of Portmore, Richard Mackenzie of Dolphinton,
with the royal arms and the arms of the society, James Hope, John Clerk Brodie of Idvies, and
the arms of James Andrew, marquis of Dal- Charles Bowman Logan, deputy keepers during
housie, sir William Gibson Craig of Biccarton, the same period.
bart. , and George Frederick, earl of Glasgow,
deputy keeper.
xl THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
only a part of the powers of the lord secretary, and did not
revive his former position as keeper of the signet.
Functions of the In the keeper's absence the deputy keeper of the signet is head
of the society, and as such is entitled to preside at all business meet-
ings. The powers conferred by the commissions granted in favour
of successive deputy keepers have varied a good deal. In 1594
Mr. John Layng had been designed by sir Richard Cockburn his
"depute and keeper of the signet," a style which recurs in later
appointments. In the minutes of the society, Mr. Layng's style is
" secreter deput" or " secretare depute and keiper of the signet."
Not only so, but special powers seem to have been given to Mr.
Layng in the year 1597, when king James the sixth, with consent
of his council and exchequer, and also of his secretary " then for
the tyme be virtue of his dimissoun," granted to Mr. John Layng,
keeper of his majesty's signet, for his lifetime, " all and haill that
pairt of the office of the secretarie sa far as may be extendit to the
keiping and custodie of his maiesteis signetis great and small,
(exceptand the court signet ordinarlie vesit to all suche thingis
whilk pas the counsaill tabill) together with all and sindrie feis,"
and all other privileges. This grant was duly confirmed by parlia-
ment in the year 1609,^ but the special nature of Mr. Layng's
appointment is implied by a clause enacting that in future the
keeping of the signets should be at the disposal of his majesty's
secretaries, the present gift being no prejudice of their right.
The quorum of commissioners in 1594 is fixed by sir Richard
at nine, including always the deputy keeper. The quorum, how-
ever, was afterwards reduced to four ; the keeper of the signet being
convener, and sine quo non. In 1642, however, the then secretary,
William, earl of Lanark, named a commissioner who, in the deputy
keeper's absence, should take his place as a necessary member
Date of grant, 17th March 1596-7. — Acts of may be connected with the appointment of the
the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. iv. p. 448. "Octavians."
The reference to the secretary's "dimission"
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xli
of the quorum. The commissioners then appointed were ten in
number, inckiding " Mr. Harie Maule, present keeper of the signet,
or any four of them, conjunctly with the said Mr. Harie, and
in case of his absence" Mr. George Haldin, W.S. The com-
mission issued in 1660, in favour of sir William Sharp and eight
commissioners, specifies as a quorum any four of them, the keeper
of the signet being always one, and sine quo non. Later com-
missions are in similar terms, and a memorial transmitted by
the society to the home secretaries, in 1731, states that the
keeper " has the power of calling and adjourning meetings of the
society," and " that he is a necessary constituent member in such
meetings, and presides there ex officio." The quorum was after-
wards reduced to three. The more recent practice does not require
the presence of the keeper or the deputy keeper at every meeting,
and when questions regarding the deputy keeper's office were brought
before the court of session, in 1828, it was not disputed that meet-
ings of the society might be held in the absence of these officers.
In the great majoi-ity of instances the deputy keeper has been Elections of
chosen from the members of the society ; generally from among its ^^ ^^*''
most distinguished members. Two exceptions to this practice are
Mr. James Law, appointed joint deputy keeper on the 26th of
December 1627, and admitted a writer to the signet two years
later ; and Mr. James Hope, appointed joint deputy keeper on the
12th of January 1828, and admitted a writer to the signet on the
4th of July following. More notable examples of departure from
the rule of selection from within the society were the appointments
of Samuel Mosley in 1654, lord Castlehill in 1657, and sir WiUiam
Sharp in 1660. All these nominations, however, bear evidence of
having been made for political reasons. Mosley was an English-
man, and a partisan of the dominant alien government. Whatever
his personal merits may have been, he had no natural claim upon
the favour of the writei's to the signet. His appointment was. Objections to
moreover, obnoxious as proceeding from the new court of the pointment.
xKi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
commissioners for the administration of justice in Scotland, which
had usurped, in part, the privileges of the lord secretary's oflSce,
and to which new authority the society owed no allegiance. It is not,
therefore, surprising to find that the members were unwilling to
submit to the depute thus thrust upon them. No sooner was his
commission recorded than the commissioners, on the 1 3th of March,
proceeded to ignore his title so far as to place one of their number
in the chair. They "all with one consent, electit and choysed
John Sempell preses for the affaris of their present meeting, and to
continue to the first day of Junii nixt to cum." The minutes bear-
ing on the subject are simple and formal, but they contain traces
of a struggle about which further information would be welcome. It
says not a little for the spirit of the commissioners that the unequal
strife ended in a compromise. It was impossible to hold out against
the ruling powers, but, on the 12th of January 1655, the com-
missioners managed to save their position while yet yielding the
chair to the nominee of the government. They " elected and
nominated Samuell Mosely, keeper of the signet, preses for the affairs
of the present meeting, and to continue whill the first day of
August next to cum, and thaireftir whill he be discharged." The
peculiarity of the circumstances may be held to justify these
extraordinary proceedings. Doubts, however, seem to have arisen
regarding the keeper's right to preside at meetings of the society,
and in 1828, as has been already mentioned, this matter was
brought before the court of session. The case was not carried to
a decision; and, with the exception above stated, the keeper, or
his deputy, has always been in use to preside at meetings of the
society, and when either of these officers is present and willing to
act, he is of necessity president of the meeting.
POBMER MEETING-PLACES OF THE SOCIETY.
The king's
secretary had Ministers of state had, in former times, no official place of busi-
no omcial ' ' ^
residence. ncss, Hor was there anything corresponding to what we now call a
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY xliii
public office, unless indeed the tolbooth of Edinburgh, which gave
accommodation to a good many different pubhc departments, could be
so called. The lord secretary, like other public servants, carried on
the work of his administration in his own dwelling-house, and there
the royal signet was kept. When Edinburgh became the per-
manent capital of the country, and, as such, the place of the king's
state residence, the public convenience required that there the
lord secretary and other ministers of state should reside for the
purposes of national business. Their work, however, continued to
be done in their own houses. In like manner, the writers to the
signet carried on the business of the lord secretary's department, and
other official work, in their private houses in Edinburgh, or in their
own chambers or " writing booths." For this reason, and as the
society had as yet no local habitation, the places of meeting named Meetings of
in the earlier minutes vary considerably. Frequently we have no '^ ^""^'^ ^'
information on this head, and must content ourselves with knowing
that the sederunt was held "at Edinburgh." Of the meeting-places
mentioned we find that, on 15th November 1596, the writers met in
the new kirk; on 28th July 1599 and 17th January 1606, in the
"laiche tolbuith"; on 15th March 1606, 7th December 1612, and
29th June 1618, in the "heiche tolbuith"; on 4th April 1607, in
Holyrood-house ; on 22d November 1609, in the deputy keeper's
house; and on 8 th August 1618, in "the wry ting chalmer of
Adame Lawtie, ane of the commissioneris." On the 11th of Decem-
ber 1627, a general meeting is held at the "tolbuith of Edinburgh,"
and it is then resolved that "aU the wrytters to the signet sail
heireftir keip four generall quarterhe meetings in every year in the
tolbuith of Edinburgh, upon the first Monday of every quarter, in
the foirnoone." On the 23d of June 1628, a meeting is held "in
Robert Alexanderis chalmer, wryter in Edinburgh, and ane of the
keiparis of the signet." On the 15th of November 1633, "the
brethrene convenit in the dwellinghous of Mr. James Gordoun, ane
of the twa keiparis ; " and on the 23d of that month, again in the
xliv THE SOCIETY OF WRITEKS TO THE SIGNET
"hich hall" of Mr. Gordoun's house. On 28th December 1633,
7th January 1636, and 23d February 1639, meetings are held in the
"signet chalmer;" on 9th January 1647, in the "auld sessioun
house;" on 11th January 1648, in the parliament house; and on
13th March 1654, in the new session house of Edinburgh. It
would seem that the society's ordinary meeting-place was either
some one of the offices in the tolbooth, or the deputy keeper's house,
but the convenience of members might, at any time, cause a
change in the place of meeting. The " signet chalmer " and the
auld session house appear to have been in the tolbooth. The new
session house was in the newly built parliament bouse. The new
kirk was the eastern part of St. Giles', known also as the little
kirk, and the high kirk. In the society's accounts for 1616 there
occurs a payment of £6 to the keeper of the "heich tolbooth
quherin the brether convenit."
OfiBce of the It was uot till 1695 that steps are taken to secure for the society
•ociety, 1695. ,( ^^^ convenient house, where the signet office, and warrants
thereof may be kept, and the wryters may meet upon all occasions."
In May of the following year, arrangements were made for furnishing
and finishing the " new lodging " bought in terms of previous resolu-
tions. Thereafter follow a number of entries giving minute details
of the furnishing and fitting up of the offices, even to the ordering of
a dollar of drink-money to be paid to the wright employed at the
work. The court off the High Street in which the new office stood,
was named the Writers' Court ; and the society had the name put
up in gUt letters over its entrance gate. In 1704, the treasurer waa
appointed " to putt up a broad " in the office, bearing, in gold letters,
the " names of all the writei's that did contribute to the buying of
the house, and what soumes were advanced by each of them for that
end." The same practice, according to a custom of the times, had
previously been followed in the case of donors to the box for the
poor. When the new buUdings were erected in Parliament Square
the signet office was established in them, and thenceforward the
WRITERS' COURT
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY xlv
meetings of the society have been held in the hall of the library.
In 1826 the signet office was removed to its present quarters, H.M.
Register House.
APPRENTICES AND INTRANTS.
It has been said that "there is no cii-cumstance which has so Training of
much contributed to place the society of writers to the signet a.pprentice8.
in the honourable rank which it has so long held, as the
attention which has been paid to the education, both general and
professional, of their apprentices. There is indeed no law associa-
tion in the kingdom which has shown so much anxiety on the
subject." This statement is fully borne out by a perusal of the
minutes. The many regulations on the subject, however, need
not be fully detailed here, but the earliest references to apprentices
of the society may be noted.
In the minutes of 1594, it was resolved, as already mentioned,
that the number of members should be limited, and no new
ordinary writer to the signet admitted until the whole number
of ordinary members be reduced to twenty-four. Intrants, how-
ever, continued to be admitted until the numbers of the society
increased from thirty-eight in 1594, to forty-five in 1609. In
1598, the period of apprenticeship was fixed at three years. But Regulations as
the practice varied greatly at different times ; and the regula- *" '" ®"*"''*^-
tions as to the length of the apprenticeship were often departed
from. By an act of 1610, it was required that all writers to
the signet " quhen thai salliappin to ressave ony personis prenteissis
to thaim," shall do so by an indenture binding the apprentice
to serve seven years from its date. It was fiu'ther appointed
that the indenture, on its execution, should be produced to the
commissioners, who should cause a note of it to be recorded
in the " register bulk of the actis of the saidis ordinar wryteris."
In the event of a master dying before the expiry of his
apprentice's indenture, the commissioners were to assign the
xlvi THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
apprentice to another writer to the signet, whom he should serve
to the end of his term. On 23d July 1628, this act was ratified,
with the further provision that for each indenture, the apprentice
should pay ten merks, five to the box, and five to the clerk to the
commissioners. In 1629 it was further required that, in addition
to serving an apprenticeship, an intrant must be twenty-five years
of age before he could be admitted into the society. In 1638 it is
enacted that if the apprentice duty be not paid within forty days
of entering the indenture, the fee shall be doubled and the master
shall pay it. In 1630 there occurs a somewhat remarkable entry
of the booking of an indenture, by which Andrew Robertson is
apprenticed to John Cok for three years only, and the commis-
sioners dispense with the " prenteis dewtie, for gude consideratiouns
moving thame." It would be interesting to know what these con-
siderations were. From this time forward the act requiring a seven
years' apprenticeship was systematically disregarded. Three, four,
or five years became usual terms. Sometimes two years, or even
one year, was accepted, and for a long time there was no regular
pi-actice on the subject.
Military clause One clauso iu the early indentures is not usual in the present
tur^! ^ day, and is suggestive of the state of the country. In 1627 military
duties Avere imposed on the apprentices as part of their service.
Every apprentice was required to have "a competent stand of
musterable armes to lye to his use in the commone storehous or
magasin of the wrytteris." Moreover it was provided that if an
apprentice died before completing his term of service, or forsook the
calling, his arms should remain the property of the society. Clerks
as well as apprentices were required to bear arms, and a regular
system of military drill was established. It does not appear,
however, that the military services of the body so formed were ever
called into actual warfare, though their existence as a " company of
foote" is noted in 1679. The subsisting "Regulations respecting
apprentices and intrants " will be found printed in the appendix.
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY xlvii
GOWNS WORN BY MEMBERS.
There are several regulations made by the early writers to the Kariy regu-
signet as to the wearing of gowns by members of their society, to gowns.
Thus it is laid down, 8th Nov. 1609 : — " Since the habite suld dis-
tinguische every one in his calling, all wrytteris to the signet are
heireftir, induring thair stay within Edinburgh, bothe in thair cuming
abrode in the streittis and in thair wreitting boathe, to wear all the
day long (except he walk or ryde abroade without the towne for
recreatioun), a gowne in suche forme as salbe sett downs by the
commissioneris." Those having no gowns are to be suspended from
office until they get them. Again, on 9th March 1610, the
commissioners enact that no ordinary writer to the signet, in
time of session, be found within the burgh of Edinburgh, "upon the
gate " without his gowne upon him, under pain of deprivation.
These injunctions seem to have emanated from a royal command,
as appears from a letter of king James vi. to the lord chancellor,
Alexander, earl of Dunfermline, and the president and other lords
of the college of justice, in which the king states that his regard for
the dignity of the college of justice had moved him " to prsescribe
decent habites to the whoUe members thereof according to their
seuerall degrees, with expres commandement that the same should
be prseciselie obserued and the contraueners censured " ; and that of
late he had heard "that diuers of that body, but in speciall some
lawyers and writers to the signet, do not weare the habite prsescribed
to them, but walk commonlie in clokes." He therefore desires that
all who have the honour to be of the college of justice be ordained
" everie one of them in their seuerall degrees to Aveare their said
habites at all tymes and at all places therein conteyned." ^ This
regulation, having been often transgressed, was frequently renewed ;
the last re-enactment of it being in 1750.
' Memorials of the Earls of Haddington, vol. ii p. 73.
xlviii THE SOCIETY OF WRITEKS TO THE SIGNET
That the commissioners were thoroughly in earnest on the 9th
AbacucBisset of March 1610, is shown by their action in the case of Abacuc or
adventures. Habakkuk Bisset, whom they suspended at that meeting for the
double offence of having his residence in Aberdeen, and neither wear-
ing nor having a gown. Mr. Bisset, it is to be feared, was an offence
to his brethren. He was, if we may judge from what is recorded
about him, a man of crabbed temperament, apt to get into quarrels
or scrapes, stiff in his manner, like his own handwriting, of which
a good many specimens exist. He also passed the great part of
life minus four fingers of his left hand, about the loss of which
he tells a pathetic tale. In the year 1587, when, if tradition is
to be trusted, he was about twenty-six years of age, he was a
writer to the signet, and at that time residing in Edinburgh. It
would appear that in the exercise of his profession, he had given
offence to two gentlemen of the name of Hamilton, who, as he teUs
us in his complaint to the privy council, "consavit ane deidlie feid
and haitrent" against him. Not only did they refuse to pay his
account on a particular occasion but they threatened his life. Bisset,
however, " having committit na crime that deservit " such treatment,
continued to behave himself "in peccable and quiet manor as became
ane man of his vocatioun."
Notwithstanding this, on 24th July 1587, his two enemies,
"being myndful to putt thair said ungodlie interprise to executioun,
come to Sanct Gelis kirk in Edinburgh, bodin in feir of weir, with
swerds pistoUettis and uther invasive waponis," where they found
"the said Abacuc gangand in peceable and quiet maner, a little
befoir fyve houris at evin, awaiting upon the fyve houris bell to
the evening prayeris, qvihair he was myndful to have said his
prayeris to God, conform to his accustomed use, having na swerd
waponis or armour." The two Hamiltons neither appreciated
his quiet walk on the summer's afternoon, nor the sacredness
of the hour. They set upon him in the church, broke his head
with the pommels of their swords, and when he fled, pursued
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY xlix
him to the west porch of the building, where they again struck
him, leaving him " mutilat and dismemberit " as already stated.
So gross and open an outrage on a member of the profession The college of
could not be passed over in silence, and accordingly Mr. Abacuc's ^jg complaint,
complaint to the privy council was backed up by the lord
advocate, then Mr. David MacGill of Nisbet, and by Mark Ker
of Newbattle, conservator of the privileges of the college of
justice, in name of the whole senators, advocates, scribes, writers,
and other members of the same.^ But except as a token of
esprit de corps it does not appear that this support availed any-
thing— the aggressors were denounced rebels for non-compeamnce,
but that seems to have been all the satisfaction Bisset gained for
the loss of his fingers.
After this he transferred himself for some years to Aberdeen, Retires to j
where it would seem he again suffered in the same way. In
1608, when once more on his way to the kirk, in a " moist quiet
and peciable maner," he was set upon at the instance of a professional
brother — a notary, and received " many deidlie strykis on heid,
schoulderis, and small of his bak," being left for dead. He sur-
vived, however, and duly made a complaint ; but it must be
regretfully recorded that in this dispute he did not come off well,
for not only was he defeated, but his adversary accused him of
slander in regard to another matter, and the Council found that
Mr. Abacuc had behaved himself " verie maliciouslie," and ad-
monished him " verie scharplie, to forbear in future."
No wonder, therefore, that he was censured by the society
to which he claimed to belong, and when in 1613 he petitioned
the commissioners to repone him that he might " use his office
alsweill within the burgh of Edinburgh as furth thairof," the
petition was refused.-
It must be acknowledged, however, that the practice of wearing
' Register of privy council, vol. iv. p. 204. their functions, because of their "removing
' In the same year John Thomson and furth of this burgh, in sa far as concemis thair
William Speir were suspended from exercising wry ting to the signet,"
1
THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
Gowns in 1679
and 1740.
Woollen dress
recommended
to members.
gowns was in later times much neglected, for in 1746, when, as
formerly stated, the society resolved that members should wait on
the duke of Cumberland in their gowns, the only precedent they
could find was a similar honour paid to James, duke of York
(James vii.) in 1679, when he came to Edinburgh as the king's
high commissioner. Moreover, there was some uncertainty about
the form and colour of the gowns worn on that occasion. Several
members were of opinion that the gowns were red, but black was
deemed a more suitable hue, and the fashion of the gowns was ordered
to be adjusted by the deputy keeper and two other writers to the
signet. The stuff was to be " Scots shalloon," serge or crape,
according to taste, the keeper's gown being distinguished by a
neck of black velvet and black silk loops. A gown and baton also
were provided for the officer of the society. Although the ancient
regulations as to the constant wearing of gowns have thus been
long in desuetude, writers to the signet still wear their gowns
on occasions of cei'emony.
Apart from the question raised in 1746 as to the dimensions and
hue of their gowns, the society in that year resolved, in order to
encourage the Scottish woollen trade, that at their next general
meeting each member should appear dressed in Scots woollen cloth.
A committee was appointed to arrange further action towards
advancing the trade, and they earnestly recommended every member
to wear the cloth " as his occasions require new cloathes " and
recusants were to be fined. r
THE BOX OR COMMON FUND.
Almost from the beginning of the minutes, the kist or "box"
appears as an important institution of the society. As early
as 1609, unlaws are appointed to be converted ad pios usus ; a
benevolent arrangement which implies the keeping of some sort
of treasury in the hands of the clerk. Thereafter the minutes
contain a multitude of entries of fines and fees given to the box,
-:■.•: HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY v -rr" H
and due notice is taken of the placing of fines by the clerk in the
box, in the presence of the commissioners. But as the subject
of fines and finance is fully touched upon elsewhere, the details
need not be here given.
One investment, however, made by the society, may be com- Bond by Gordon
mented on at greater length. In 1677 nme hundred merks
were advanced to Alexander Gordon of Earlston, upon a bond
over his estate in Galloway, It is characteristic of the uncertain
possession of landed property in the fighting times of the seventeenth
century, that the borrower's undertaking had to be supported by
the joint obligation of two cautioners, William Cleland of Faskine,
and Mr. John Bailhe of Carfin. AU three co-obhgants were
involved in the movements of the covenanters, the borrower's
father, WiUiam Gordon of Earlston, having long been a man of note
among that party. In 1662, the elder Earlston had been fined
£3500 for nonconfonnity. For a like offence, in 1663, he was
Isanished the kingdom, but in 1667 he was allowed to return home.
In 1676 he made over the barony of Earlston to his eldest son
Alexander. It is not unlikely that the loan obtained in the
following year had some connection with this transaction, or with
the designs that gave rise to it. Earlston's ostensible purpose in
transferring the estate was to fulfil obligations arising under his
son's contract of marriage, but it was a common expedient with
gentlemen who found themselves in deep water amid the shifting
political currents of those times, to convey their lands to theii"
heirs, and so save the risk of the estates being lost to their
famihes by forfeiture. William Gordon remained in occupation of
Earlston, whence, in June 1678, he and his son set out to
join the covenanters who had taken up arms in Lanarkshire. The
father was killed while on his journey. His son, Alexander, escaped
from the field of Bothwell brig and went abroad. On the 18th
of February 1680, Alexander Gordon was summoned before the
court of justiciaiy on a charge of treason. Failing to appear, he
Hi THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
was found guilty and sentenced to death. His estates also were
confiscated. These proceedings caused anxiety to the holders of
the bond over Earlston, and five days later the commissioners
of the signet met, and the treasurer having reported upon the
subject, the meeting requested the deputy keeper, sir WiUiam
Sharpe, "to deal with John, duke of Lauderdale, his majesty's
secretary, and the commissioners of the treasury, that no gifts
be passed of the said Alexander Gordon's forfeiture, for his rebellion
in being with the rebels in the west, in June last, until the
said debt be paid." There is no report of the result of the
interview thus appointed to be held, but it would appear that
the society's claims were fully admitted by the authorities, and
that the debt, although not repaid, was kept up as a burden upon
the forfeited estate.
In 1690 there is a minute of the society directing the
treasurer "to look after the loan due to the Avriters to the
signet by Earlstoun," who in the meantime had been restored
to the estate, which had previously passed through several hands.
In 1692 lord EankeUlor came forwai-d, and paid up two-thirds
of the original debt. An arrangement was then come to which
secured the speedy extinction of the burden on the estate.
The tenns granted were favoui-able, the society's action being
prompted by consideration of the pressure of the laii'd of Earlston's
circumstances, owing to his late forfeiture, and of the " brocken "
condition of his two sureties. It maj' be added that, in 1718,
the laird of Earlston succeeded to a baronetcy, which had been
conferred on his younger brother William, and which his descen-
dant still holds ; that he died in 1726 ; and that his son, William
Gordon of Greenlaw and Culvennan, was a writer to the signet.
CHAIR OF HUMANITY IN THE UNIVERSITY.
Towards the end of the sixteenth century the society aided in the
establishment of a chair of law in the university of Edinburgh, being
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY liii
the first addition to its teaching staff. In the year 1590, after much Law professor-
preliminary discussion, a contract was entered into between the college
of justice and the town council, for the foundation of a professorship
"of the laws." By that contract, the lords of session on the first
part, the advocates and writers to the signet on the second part, and
the town council as third parties, each provided the sum of £1000
Scots for the endowment. The chair was, however, soon diverted
from its original purpose, and the professor was occupied in teaching,
not law, but Latin and Greek. On the occurrence of a vacancy
in 1597, the founders agreed that the occupant of the chair should
cease to be a professor of law, and should become instead a
regent or professor of humanity. At the same time the professor's Chair of
income was reduced to one-third of the original endowment, and the "™*°' ^'
remaining two-thii-ds were devoted by the patrons to the main-
tenance of bursars. By an arrangement come to in the same
year, the patronage of the chair of humanity was vested in six
commissioners, two to be chosen by the lords of session, two by
the town council, one by the advocates, and one by the writers to
the signet. Except in so far as altered by the universities act of
1858, which substitutes the curators of the university as patrons,
instead of the town council, this arrangement still remains in force.
In the following century the town council proposed to the college Proposed
of justice that the chair of humanity should be abolished, in order *''**"8e8.
that its work might be transferred to the high school of Edinburgh,
and the revenue of the chair expended on bursaries. On the 11th
of January 1648^ the writers to the signet were accordingly convened
in the parliament house "anent their voytis, craved quhidder thair
annual-rent of fy ve hundreth pundis destinat and mortifyeit for ane
help to ane professor in the college of Edinburgh, according to the
first institution, sould be employit to that use, or for intertenement
of ane bursar." The meeting unanimously refused " the inversioun
' Sir Alexander Grant, in his Stoi-y of the proposal as 1656, but the minutes of the town
Unweraily of Edinburgh, gives the date of this council corroborate the date given in the text.
iiy THE SOCIE|y Qf \YEITEES .Jp, TIJE SIGNET
of the first fundatioun," and declined to interfere with the professor-
ship. Such was also the decision of the coUege of justice as a whole.
Medal. It may be added that, in 1824, the writers to the signet insti-
tuted an annual medal of the value of ten guineas to be given
as a prize to the best Latin scholar in the senior humanity class.
In 1860, however, the giving of this medal was discontinued " for
the present."
In 1708 the society showed its interest in the scientific enter-
prises of the day by appointing four of its members to visit " a
machin" termed " a, perpetuum mobile," invented, or at least pro-
moted, by Mr. Robert Stewart, minister of the gospel, and recom-
mending a collection towards its expense. In 1794, further aid
to science was given by a vote of twenty guineas a year, payable
for three years, towards keeping up a museum of natural history
established by Mr. Alexander Weir at number 16 Princes Street,
Edinburgh.
GBANTS TO PUBLIC WORKS AND CHARITIES.
Public works. There are recorded in the minutes of the society many grants in
aid of public works of various kinds, as, for example, towards the
building of the royal infirmary of Edinburgh in 1738 ; for the
erection of an observatory for the university of Edinburgh ; and
also in 1738 towards the establishment of the orphan hospital in
Edinburgh; for the relief of the burgh of Kinghorn from the
expense incurred in building a harbour at Pettycur in 1760; to the
maintenance of the poorhouse and charity workhouses in Edin-
burgh ; towards the erection of a church for the Gaelic-speaking
community of Edinburgh in 1768 ; for the building of "a qualified
English chappel in Edinburgh in 1774"; and for other works of a
like kind. In 1751, five hundred guineas were given towards a
scheme for rebuilding ruinous houses in Edinburgh in such a way as to
afford "great decorement to the city and many large conveniencys."
In 1788, when it was decided in the court of session that the writers,
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY >& SB. Iv
as members of the college of justice, were exempt from payment of
the poor-rates then levied, the society resolved that, as their action
in the matter had arisen only from regard to the privileges of the
members, a donation of five hundred guineas should be given from
the funds in support of the charity workhouse of the city. Similar
large grants were, at other times, given for the same object. In
1789, six hundred guineas were voted towards the erection of new
buildings for the university of Edinburgh, and a further sum of
two hundred pounds was devoted to the same purpose in 1812.
In 1796 there occurs an entry of two hundred and fifty guineas
given for supplying meal to the poor at reduced prices. At various
times the charity of the society has been directed towards the assist-
ance of those who suffered from the fires which formerly were of
frequent occurrence in Edinburgh. In 1824, two hundred and
seventy-three pounds were given from the funds to meet such a
case. The contributions of the society towards works of public ic! .<».», i
importance have been continued down to the present time. Thus,
for example, in 1872 a grant of fifty guineas was made for the
improvement and restoration of St. Giles' church, Edinburgh, and
in 1880 one hundred guineas more were given in aid of that im-
portant work. In 1883 two hundred and fifty pounds were voted
for the extension of the Edinburgh university buildings. In a
very recent minute there is a note of two hundred and fifty pounds
subscribed towards the foundation of the imperial institute of the
United Kingdom.
Besides making such grants to public works and charities from General
the common fund, the commissioners frequently directed the atten-
tion of the ordinary members to charitable objects lying beyond
the limits to which the public benefactions of the society were
confined. Thus, in 1610, "the commissioners ordanit the haill
bretherene to gif support, according to thair chimtie, for help of
the pure Italiane, Francis de Parisco." Another such case occurs in
1616, when a petition is presented to the society from the biirgh of
Ivi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
Cupar, " for reparatioun of thair buildingis and guidis, laitlie brunt
and destroyit be fyre." Having considered this petition, " the haill
brether, all in ane voce, grantit to gif them supplie, as thai suld be
movit thairto of thair awn willis," and appointed collectors to obtain
subscriptions from the members. In 1618 there is a notice of con-
tributions given by the writers to the signet " to the supplie of the
brig of Crawmond." There are also two interesting entries, in 1631,
regarding a collection made among the members of the college of
justice " for the help and supplie of the pure distressit pepill of the
palatinate," on whom the troubles of the thirty years' war had
fallen with great severity. For this object there was collected a
sum of £2984, 10s. 4d. Scots, of which £926, 17s. was given by the
writers to the signet. The fortunes of the palatinate had been made
specially interesting to Scotsmen by the marriage of the ill-fated
elector Frederick to princess Elizabeth, daughter of James vi.
Poor's fund. In 1685, "the haill breitheren, in consideration of the multitude
of their poor, and for the incress of their stock," volunteered each to
pay the treasurer £3 Scots a year for the use of the poor. In 1703
it was resolved, in respect of the smallness of the stock, and because
the poor of the calling were numerous, " that therfor ther be ane act
made dischargeing the intrant wryters of any expences of drinking
or otherwayes at the examinatione and admissione," and that, in
place of the £166, 13s. 4d., payable for the poor and the "house," at
the admission of a member, the payment be increased to £200 Scots.
In 1755 further steps were taken in the same direction.
The society, moreover, on occasions took further means to obtain
aid for the poor of their number. Thus, in 1663, two of the brethren
were appointed to speak to the kirk treasurer, to obtain from the
funds in his hands some help for Judith Nairn, relict of Mr. Alexander
Carmichael, W.S., to whom the society itself had voted relief.
Further, it was to be intimated to the kirk treasurer, that, if help
were not given in this case, the society would withdraw its monthly
contribution paid to the deacons of the kirks for the poor of the burgh.
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY Ivii
In 1667, again, we find the treasurer, by instruction of the commis-
sioners, "indenting" John Alexander, son of the deceased Robert Alex-
ander, W.S., as apprentice to Gavin Sangster, "tailzeour, and freeman
in the Cannongaitheid," and paying £50 Scots from the funds as his
apprentice fee. On behalf of the brother of this apprentice, Alex-
ander Alexander, " ane poor young orphan of six yeirs or thereby,"
the treasurer is appointed, at the same time, to pay five marks a
month "for his entertainement," and to make further payments for
his schooling and clothing. In the following year the treasurer reports
that he has paid £50 Scots as a fee on account of George Neill, son
of the late Robert Neill, W.S., on his being apprenticed "to John
Tailzeowr, tayliowr burgess of the Cannogait." On the same day,
the commissioners having voted a grant of three rex dollars to James
Hog, a pensioner of the society, and apparently an old advocate's
clerk, resolved that three of their number should speak to sir Robert
Sinclair, the dean of faculty, anent the said James Hog, that he
might get some help from the advocates' box.
That charitable cases were carefuUy considered upon their merits,
appears from the frequent language of the minutes regarding them.
We come constantly upon cases described in terms like the following :
"ane aged poore man"; "a seicklie infirm blind man, in his
necessity and great distress " ; " ane poore and indigent seicklie
man, who hes lyn seik this whyll by past"; "ane poor zong
orphan"; "ane aged infirme and poore woman"; "poore fatherles
childrene"; "ane sicklie poore indigent woman, unable to goe to
service, or act anything for her lyvliehood " ; " ane poor sickhe man,
having the perills in his head, and other infirmities of his bodie " ;
" ane indigent sicklie widdow, having three children " ; " ane wryter's
son, for buying him cloaths " ; and so forth. In doubtful cases there
is added, at times, some quaint proviso, such as " that they be no
farder troublesome in any tyme coming," or " and she is never to ask
more," or "without any more to be given him hereafter." Many similar
benefactions will be found in the chapter which deals with the funds,
h
IVlu
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Craigcrook
mortificatiou.
Watson trust.
iri
TBCJSTS ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SIGNET. "
John Strachan of Craigcrook, writer to the signet and fiscal of
the society, by a deed of mortification, dated the 24th of September
1712, and recorded the 4th of August 1719, directed that the lands
of Craigcrook and North Clermiston in the parish of Cramond, which
he had purchased in 1698, should be held perpetually in trust ("the
lands never to be sold, but to remaine as mortified land for ever"),
and the proceeds to be devoted to the relief of " poor old men and
women and orphans." The deed proceeds upon the testator's
" thankful resentment and commemoration " of God's goodness to
him in his " pains and industrie " in his " imployment," and further
" withaU, that none of my relatives or nearest of kin may have right
to what shall happen, in land or money, to belong to me the tyme
of my decease." As managers of his benefaction Mr. Strachan
appointed "two advocatts, two wryters to the signett, and the
presbitry of Edinburgh, at the sight of the lords of session." In
addition to the general purposes of the trust, yearly grants are
directed to be paid, from the income of the estate, for the following
purposes, "to the advocates' poor yearly, for yr pains, fyftie merks
scots ; and to the wryters to the signet, one hundred merks yearly,"
also "for the ministers of the presbitry, yr pains, yearly twenty
pounds scots, to be payed to one of ym successively for an bible, and
to begin with the moderator of the presbitry and yrafter yearly ilk
one per vices, as the presbytery shall appoint." The benefit of the
mortification is restricted by the managers to persons over sixty-three
years of age who have fallen into poor circumstances, and to orphan
children. The income of the charity is now about £1100 or £1200
a year.
On the death, in 1759, of Mr. John Watson, W.S., the society
received the residue of his estate in trust for such pious and
charitable uses within the city of Edinburgh as the trustees might
choose. In 1822 an act of parliament was obtained enabling the
HISTOEY OF THE SOCIETY ,,p ^fip^ ^
trustees to erect and endow " an hospital for the maintenance and
education therein of destitute children, and bringing them up to be
useful members of society, and also for assisting in their outset in
life such of them as may be thought to deserve and require such aid."
The hospital was completed in 1828. It is managed by fifteen
directors, members of the society. Under the directors' admini-
stration the funds of the trust have steadily increased, and they
now amount to over £125,000.
Mr. Joseph Thomson of Mortonhall of Eildon, by his deed of Thomson's
settlement executed in 1774, conveyed the residue of his estate
in trust, to form a perpetual fund for the purchase of oatmeal for
poor householders within the city of Edinburgh not in receipt
of parochial relief The original trustees named by Mr. Thomson
having died, and others appointed ex officiis having failed to accept
office, the deputy keeper of the signet became, in 1814, the sole
trustee of the mortification. Under the administration of successive
deputy keepers the fund has grown considerably in amount, and
is now about £20,000. In dispensing this charity, rehef is given
to such poor persons only as are recommended by ministers and
missionaries working in the city. In this way about twelve hundred
famihes in each year receive aid.
Through the death, in 1828, of Mr. James Dick, a native of Dick bequest.
Forres, who had made a fortune in the West Indies, the society
became connected with an important bequest for " the maintenance
and assistance of the country parochial schoolmasters" in the
counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray. The original trustees of
the bequest were the keeper, the deputy keeper, the treasurer, and
eight of the commissioners of the writers to the signet chosen by
the society. But under a scheme framed by the Educational Endow-
ments Commissioners of 1882, the governing body now consists of
thirteen persons, of whom eight are elected by the commissioners of
the signet. The capital sum which came at first under the manage-
ment of the tnist amounted to £119,000, but it has now increased
Ix
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEtlS TO THE SIGNfif
Royal infinnary.
Orphan hospital.
Murray trust.
Fettes college.
to £125,000. The income of this fund is apportioned among
schoolmasters of the landward parishes in the three counties,
according to rules drawn up by the trustees. At the present
time there are a hundred and twenty-seven schoolmasters in receipt
of grants from the bequest.
By the Edinburgh royal infirmary act of 1870, the society
became entitled to appoint annually one of the twenty-one managers
of the royal infirmary of Edinburgh.
By a charter of king George ii., granted on the 25th June 1742,
incorporating the orphan hospital of Edinburgh, the keeper,
treasurer, and senior commissioner of the society are appointed
members of the corporation.
In 1880, under the trust settlement of Miss Mary Murray,
who resided in Dysart, a bequest of X34,000 became vested in
the keeper, deputy keeper, and commissioners of the signet, as
trustees for the establishment of a hospital for the education of
girls of respectable, poor parentage, to be household sei-vants.
Along with the keeper and deputy keeper, six of the commissioners
are appointed directors of the hospital. The practical work of
this charity is carried on in the hospital premises at Prestonpans,
which are held by the directors on lease.
In terms of a scheme drawn up by the Educational Endow-
ments Commissioners of 1882, the writers to the signet elect
annually a governor of the Fettes trust. The governors of this
endowment, coming in place of the testamentary trustees of sir
William Fettes, baronet, are invested with the administration of
Fettes coUege, and the estates and funds connected therewith.
HEREDITY IN THE SOCIETY.
Thei'e is always a hereditary tendency in professional life, but it
is somewhat remarkable to find heredity so strongly developed as
it has been among the writers to the signet. The same siu-names
appear again and again upon the lists, and the connection of many
HISTOKY OF THE SOCIETY Ixi
families with the calUng has been kept up through a long series of
years. The continuance of a family for three generations in the
society is so common as hardly to attract attention. It is more
notable to find such a race as the Russells of Braidshaw and Rosebui-n,
connected with the body from 1711 till 1887, during which time
six members of the family, constituting five generations, were
writers to the signet. There have likewise been six Ferriers, six
Foi'mans, and six Steuarts, all of the same families. The list
contains also five Hamiltons of Presmennan, six Andersons of
Inchyra, seven Balfours of Pilrig, seven Brodies of Lethen, five
Tytlers of Woodhouselee, five Tods of Drygrange, seven Mackenzies
of Portmore, five Dundases of Ochtertyre, and five Cuninghams of
Newholm.
ARMORIAL BEARINGS.
On the 15th of August 1789, the society obtained from the Lyon
king-of-ai-ms a grant of armorial bearings. From the minute re-
ferring to the subject it seems that the device of the king's signet
had been in previous use. The arms are registered as follows :
"azure a saltyr argent, in the flanques two thistles or, and in chief
and base the royal signet of the second, with this inscription on
the edge, signetum regium."
NOTARIES PUBLIC.
In dealing with the history of the writers to the signet, mention
should also be made of the society's connection with a very ancient
body of legal practitioners — the notaries pubhc. In the medigeval
period of Scottish history the notaries were almost the only con-
veyancers, while the oflBce of advocate also was very generally
discharged by them. Their rise was due to the action of the
western emperors, who, claiming to be successors of the emperors
of Rome, aspired also to make their courts fountains of law for all
the European kingdoms. As the notaries of early times were
Ixii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
clerics, the pope, as head of the church, exercised along with the
emperor the privilege of appointing them to the special office.
In due time, however, the independent princes of Europe saw the
advantage of having in their own hands the nomination of notaries
within their territox-ies, and, one by one, they assumed for themselves
such a right. Notaries constituted by authority of the pope and
the emperor practised in Scotland from an early period, but king
James iii., in 1469, was the first Scottish king who asserted a claim
to commission notaries for his dominions. The act of parliament
by which this result was carried through sets forth that "it is
thocht expedient that sen our soverane lord hes ful jurisdictioune
and fre impire within his realme, yat his hienes may mak notaris
and tabellionis, quhais instrumentis sal have ful faith in all coutractis
civile within ye realme. And, in tyme cumyn yt na notaris, maid,
nor to be maid, be ye iraperor's autorite, have faith in contractis
civile within ye realme, les yan he be examingt be ye ordinare, and
apprieved be ye kingis hienes." There follows a clause saving the
authority of the papal and imperial notaries " in tymes by-gane, in
all their instrumentis." It is further provided by the act " yat
notaris to be maid be our soverane lorde be examinit before yair
ordinaris bishoppes, and have certificacioune of yame yat yai ar of
faith, gude fame, science and lawte, according for ye said office." '»^''"
It is difficult now to estimate fully the importance of this statute,
because the duties of the early notaries were very different from
those of their successors at the present day. It has been said they
were the principal conveyancers of the kingdom, but they were
much more. Scarcely any matter or business between parties
could be undertaken without the presence of a notary. They were
to be found in the king's palace, and in the castles of the nobles,
acting as chroniclers of the ceremonies of war or peace. They
were to be found in the midst of feuds and quarrels, even on the
field of battle, recording as calmly as might be what they heard
and saw. They appear in the courts of law and in the barons'
\.>ivyA}l^ 'HISTQEY OF THE SOCIETY "■ 2-1^ ixui
courts, taking protests against acts of injustice, and they also
watched over the transference of land rights or of sums of money
lent on heritable securities. They might be seen knocking loudly
at a superior's gate to demand infeftment for a client, and ready
to note the subsequent refusal or acquiescence. Again they were
to be met recording the ejection of an intruder from a mansion or
the extinguishing of a hearth fire at an eviction. All these and
inany other transactions were incomplete unless a notary was present
to write his " instrument " detailing the proceedings. So important
an office, therefore, required special enactments and special safe-
guards.
The establishment of the court of session, and other changes
in the economy of the law, greatly altered the position of notaries
in our legal system; but the rules for their admission laid down
in 1469 were but little altered for more than a century. From
time to time acts of parliament were passed regulating the ex-
aminations of intrant notaries. Notable among these are James iv.
c. 64, 1503 ; James v. cc. 76 and 78, 1540 ; and Mary, c. 24, 1551 ;
c. 44, 1555 ; cc. 78 and 79, 1563. By virtue of the last of these
statutes, the lords of session and college of justice obtained the power,
which they still exercise, of creating and admitting notaries public
in Scotland. An act of the eleventh parliament of king James vi.
c. 45, passed in 1587, "for remeid of the falsset and ignorance of
sindrie notaries," requires that those to be admitted notaries should
have " a reasonable understanding in the Latin tongue," and have
served with one of the lords of session, commissaries, writers to
the signet, or some of the sheriff', stewart, or bailie clerks of the
shire or burghs.^
' As this act is still a ruling authority on the and stay for the space of five zeiris next efter
subject, it may be well to give its terms :— the date of yir pfitis And yat nane be admittit
For remeid of the falsset and ignorance of noteris thairefter hot yai that hes ressounable
Sindrie notaris . . . vnderstanding in the latine toung and is at the
" It IS statute and ordanit be his ma"* w' auise leiss congruus That yai have seruit and bene
of the thrie estaitis of yis p&t parliamet That in cumpanie w* ane of the lordis of sessioun
t,\\ admissioun of notaris in tyme earning ceis coinissns writtaris to ye signet or sum of theW
1»T THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
An application for admission as a notaiy proceeded upon a
petition presented to the court of session. A remit was then made
to members of that body, styled " the lordis examinatoris," and,
at least in the later practice, the applicant, if found qualified, was
admitted by these examining judges without any report to the
court. The work of examining thus entailed upon the lords of
session, seems to have interfered with their other duties, and,
on 31st December 1595, and 30th July 1691, acts of sederunt
were passed stringently regulating the examination of notaries.
The last-named act ordains, " that in time comeing, no person be
admitted nottar, unless a petition be given in to the whole lords, in
presentia, with a certificate under the hands of persones of credit
attesting the petitioner to be a person of good fame, and that he
hath had good breeding for qualifying him to excerce the trust of a
nottar-publick ; and that exact tryall be taken by the ordinary on
the bills for the time, and any other of the lords to be appoynted
by them (being both mett together), of the person's knowledge and
qualifications, conform to the acts of parliament which are in
vigour, before he be admitted nottar." It came to be the rule
that the certificate thus required should be signed by an advocate
and a writer to the signet. The lords examinators reported to
the court the result of their personal examination of the applicant,
and, if their report was favourable, the court thereupon admitted
the notary. These forms coming in time to be found burdensome,
the two lords ordinary who acted as lords examinators, made a remit
sref btewart or baillie clerkis of the schyre or ting and conginiitie be formig of sum enident
coinoun clerkis of the heid burrowis of yis as charter of waird blenche fewferme burgage
realine And haif seruit yame trewlie the full mortificatioun or apprising or of ane precept
space of sevm zeiris and reporte y' testimonial! past or of ane reto'' or of clare costat or of ane in-
of y' treuth and qualificatiouu to be schawin to feftment of resignatioun in favo'' or ad perpetuS
the lordis of counsall in tyme of y'' examinatioun remanetiam or sum instrument of seising, or of
qlkis sail tak cair in the same examinatioun be ane contract, a compromit, a procuratorie, a
thame selffis or sum of yair awin clerkis or sum tak, a reversioun, acquittance, or sum vy'
of the clerkis of the signet quhome yal pleiss cofnoun forme of evident And nsuie to be ad-
call to thame for yat effect. And spcalie yai mittit bot be triall and pruif foirsaid. — Ads
sail causs the ptie desirous to be admittit noter of Parliament (Thomson, edit. 1814), vol. iii,
gif a put and full pruif in yair pfis of his -writ- p. 449,
HISTOEY OP THE SOCIETY Ixv
to two writers to the signet specially named, " to take the try all
of the petitioners' qualifications as directed by the ffourty-fifth act
of the eleventh parliament of king James the sixth, and to report."
This last mode of procedure can be traced back as far as the year
1736 ; and, from 1750 onwards, it has, with the modifications after-
mentioned, been followed.
In 1812, the minutes of this society bear that it was "resolved
that it would be proper in future to appoint permanent examinators
for the trial of applicants for the office of notary public." The
change, thus proposed, meeting with the approval of the court,
was adopted. Since 1886 the commissioners of the signet appointed
to examine intrants to their society have also examined applicants
for the office of notary pubhc, and this practice remains in force.
By the law agents' act of 1873 any enrolled law agent wishing to
become a notary pubUc may apply to the court of session to be
admitted a notary, and the court may admit him and grant warrant
for his enrolment on his paying the legal stamp-duty.
CHAPTER II.
THE LIBEARY.
The library of the society, generally known as the signet
LIBRARY, is not yet a hundred and seventy years old. It at
present contains more than 82,000 volumes, and for many years
has been growing at the rate of about 1000 volumes annually. The
books are arranged in two large halls and in a number of smaller
adjoining apartments. In the upper hall (138 feet by 41) are
placed works of general Hterature, history, and science, English and
foreign. The lower hall, which is used as the pubHc reading-room
(104 feet by 41), contains the principal law-books, Scottish and
Enghsh, as well as British history, topography and biography,
with voyages and travels. Leading from the lower hall, and on
the same floor, are the rooms assigned respectively to the deputy
keeper of the signet and to the librarian, which, with the west
lobby, are filled with books. Above are the commissioners' room
and the session paper room, while below, on the basement floor, is
a series of apartments known as the fiscal's or map room, the civil
law room, and the magazine room, with three others, unnamed, and
recently furnished with shelves, — making eleven in all.
Law library, The germs of the library were created, on the 1 2th November
1722,^ by an order of the society to the effect that aU the Scots
law-books, and the acts of parliament passed before and after
the union, should be procured at once, and that to these should be
added all future pubhcations of the same kind as they appeared.
The collection thus acquired was not a large one. The Scots law-
By a misprint in Mr. Bell's Memorial foundation of the library is dated in 1752 ; and
(Jardine's Collection of Signet Papers, vol. i.) the this error has been frequently repeated.
THE LIBRAEY ■^-'^- Ixvii
books then in print did not amount to more than sixty volumes
in all. The books were to lie in the Signet Office, then located
in Writers' Court. Before many months passed it was found ex-
pedient to add sundry works of English law, and accordingly, on
15th July 1723, we find authority given to the treasurer to pay
forty shUlings sterling for the following books : CoweU's Latv
Dictionary, Jacob's Accomplished Conveyancer, The Grand Pre-
cedent by the same author, and a more recent publication, Green-
wood on County Courts.
There were at this time no regular funds set apart for the
library ; and the treasurer, who was commissioned to make the
requisite purchases of books, seems to have assumed some responsi-
bility for their safe-keeping. He makes complaint to a general
meeting in 1738 that certain volumes wei-e missing, and has inquiries
made for their discovery and return. The manner in which the
library fund originated is curious. The customaiy entertainments Library fund,
given by intrants upon their admission to the society had apparently
led to some abuses. The deputy keeper and commissioners, who
had previously attempted to suppress these festivities, now (Feb. 3,
1755) imposed a fine upon any intrant who should give an enter-
tainment of the sort ; and, furthermore, " in consideration of this
expense being saved to the intrants," enacted that each intrant in
time to come should pay three guineas to be applied to the pur-
chasing of books lor the society, and that any clerk of the society
going to such entertainments should pay five guineas, by way of
fine, towards the same fund. The result was so far satisfactoiy
that, in the following January, the treasurer was able to report
that he now held in his hands from this source about twenty-seven
guineas, with which he was ready to purchase books.
This original tax of three guineas was, in 1769, raised to £10 ;
and in 1778 the payment was so divided that half the sum was
paid on entering into indenture and half on admission into the
society. In 1787 the whole sum was paid at the date of indenture.
Ixviu THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
As, for a period of many years from this time the average number
of apprentices was forty, this tax alone produced about £400 a year.
General library, It was not till 1778, when this small law library had been in
1788 •
existence for more than half a century, that the society resolved
to form a general library on a large scale, and with this view
began to collect the best books in every department of literature.
But the need of access to such a collection for the purposes of
reference and research had been long felt. In 1740 a proposal had
been made that the writers to the signet should be granted all
the privileges of the members of the bar with regard to the
advocates' library, which, at that time, was making great progress
under its energetic keeper and " second founder," Mr. Kuddiman.
A committee of members of the society met with the dean of the
faculty and some of the leading advocates to make arrangements
with this object, and a general meeting of the society, unani-
mously approving the scheme, proposed to contribute fifty guineas
to the funds of the advocates' library, and to burden each intrant
with the payment of 100 merks Scots. The project, however, fell
through.
First curators. It may be said, therefore, that 1778 was the true date of the
birth of the general library. Two curators, viz., Mr. Samuel
Mitchelson, treasurer, and Mr. David Erskine, were appointed, with
powers to purchase books. A stamp inscribed with the name of
the society was placed upon the books. Important donations were
made at various times by members of the society and their friends.
Hew Dalrymple, lord Drummore, presented a fine copy of Domes-
day, and Henry Dundas, viscount Melville, the lord advocate,
procured a copy of the London Gazette to be regularly sent to
the library. Mr. Andrew Stuart presented a set of the journals
of both houses of parliament, in sixty volumes, folio ; Mr. Archi-
bald Campbell of Succoth gave a good collection of the ancient
classics. Meanwhile, as the books multiplied, the curators became
unable to devote the necessary time to the work assigned to them,
THE LIBEAEY Ixix
or to grapple witli the difficulties arising from want of space.
Changes were made from time to time in the number of curators and
their mode of election. In 1788 there were five appointed, and in
1792 nine. The books now numbered about 3000, and many were
piled on the floor for want of shelf-room. The volumes had been
removed from the signet office in 1782 to a new library room.
But this room in turn had been filled to overflowing. There was
still no regular librarian ; and a special committee, reporting on the
state of the library (May 26, 1794), suggests that such an appoint-
ment should be deferred until a new library room be procured, and
that meantime "the charge of the books should be committed to
Mr. John Cameron, who, indeed, for some considerable time, had
had the management of them." ^ It is probable that we owe to
Mr. Cameron the compilation of the first catalogue of the libraiy,
printed at Edinburgh in octavo, 1792.
This catalogue is a rough hand-list hastily drawn up and not free First catalogue.
from errors, but it is interesting as presenting a view of the char-
acter and contents of the collection at that early date, and indicating
the aim which the curators had before them. Mr. Robert Bell, the
lectui'er on conveyancing, in a memorial wliich he addressed to the
society on the afiairs of the library in 1800, made great complaint
of its insufficiency." He was ambitious that it should contain not
only the standard works in every branch of study, but all historical
muniments which could elucidate the former state of the country
and the progress of her laws. He advocated a collection of portraits
as well as of manuscripts. In the opinion of Mr. Bell, the collection
already made was ill chosen. Yet it will be seen that its foun-
dations were, even at this time, laid deeply if not broadly. The
deficiency was, indeed, most patent in the department in which,
'■ In 1792 Mr. Cameron was paid £11, lis. " at the rate of £25 a year, afterwards, in 1800,
"for trouble." In 1795, notwithstanding the increased to £67.
suggestion of the committee, there is payment - "Memorial relative to the library of the
made to him of " salary as librarian by order, writers to the signet, etc., humbly submitted to
the consideration of the members."
of books.
Ixx THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
judging from its present state, we should least expect it, viz., in
the national literature.
The collection The great European collections and works of research were
already on the shelves. There were 182 volumes of the Academie
des Sciences; 114 of the Acta Eruditorum Lipsice; Muratori's
collection of Italian historians; Dom Bouquet's Histoire littercdre
de France ; the thirty folios of the Byzantine historians ; the great
collections of antiquities by Grsevius, Gronovius and Ugolini, and
Gruter's Roman inscriptions. Ecclesiastical history was represented
by the annals of Baronius, the works of Beausobre, Basnage, Tille-
mont, and Mosheim ; Hebrew literature and criticism by Walton's
polyglot, the Gritici Sacri, Surenhusius' Mischna, and the works
of Bochart. There were also Kennicott's Hebrew bible, the Codex
Alexandrmus of the Greek testament, Origen's Hexapla and the
Patres Apostolici of Cotelerius. In French literature there were
the works of Montaigne, Corneille, Moli^re, Racine, Voltaire,
Rousseau, and Cr^billon ; in Italian, Machiavelli, Metastasio, Tasso,
and Dante. But although there were Hebrew, Russian, Spanish
and Italian bibles, there was no copy of the English version ; and
while English poetry was represented by Milton and Pope, there
was no edition of Shakespeare, and, what is perhaps more strange,
none of sir David Lindsay, In light literature the society was
content with Sterne's Tristram Shandy and his Sentimental Journey.
In voyages and travels, now a strong feature of the libraiy, readers
were limited to the collections of Hakluyt, Harris, and Provost.
The ground-work of the present rich collection of British topography
was already laid by the acquisition of some good county histories.
The collection as a whole was certainly miscellaneous, and, while
the departments of learning were unequally represented, in none was
there an approach to completeness. The works were, however, not
ill chosen if regai'ded as specimens of each class — solid blocks of
literature placed here and there to mark the line of the foundations
upon which it was intended to raise the superstructure.
THE LIBEAEY Ixxi
For a few years longer Mr. Cameron and Mr. Alexander Alison,
the assistant clerk to the society, appear to have had charge of the
books. The curators took pains to procure suitable additions to the
library, but the practical management fell into comparative neglect.
In 1804 Mr. George Sandy, who had passed W.S. in 1798, was ap- Mr. George Sandy,
pointed one of a committee of four to draw up a report upon the state '''''''"■>*°-
of the library. Books, it is said, were found in large numbers not
stamped or entered in the catalogue ; and there were masses of books
and papers unarranged and unbound, lying in various parts of the
house, and several volumes missing altogether. For three months
Mr. Sandy assiduously devoted himself to the task of re-arranging the
books and restoring the library to its proper condition. An evidence
of his industry remains in the inscription Ex lihris hihliothecce
scriharum Signeto regio which he wrote in every volume then in
possession of the society. He next turned his attention to the
catalogue, and in order to remedy the defects in the list of 1792,
and to bring it up to date, he undertook the compilation of a
catalogue raisonnS, or classified catalogue, on an elaborate scale, not
only specifying the titles of aU the separate pieces in the several
collections or transactions of societies, but analysing the contents,
or giving the heads of chapters, of important works.
This catalogue, though certainly premature, was not without its
use, seeing how largely the library at that time consisted of pub-
lications of a cyclopaedic and polygraphic character. Mr. Sandy's
volume was printed in quarto at the university press in 1805. His
preface is dated May 15th of that year; but before the book was
issued, the appointment of Mr. Macvey Napier as the official hbrarian Mr. Maovey
of the society entirely changed the aspect of aftairs. For the next fi^rlriLx
thirty years he was the soul of every enterprise in connection with
the library, and to his energy and zeal is in a large measure due
the merit of selecting and accumulating whatever is richest and
most valuable in the present collection.
Mr. Sandy, shortly after the completion of his catalogue, received
Ixxii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
the appointment of secretary to the bank of Scotland, and held
that office for about thirty years. The society, however, elected him
a curator of the library for life. He was a well-known character
in Edinburgh, and his portrait or caricature, with a description of
his features and figure, more forcible than flattering, may be seen
in Crombie's Modern AtJmiians. Mr. Sandy died in 1853,
Library building. But to retum to the history of the buildings. In 1778 when
the library, as has been said, first emerged from its chrysalis state,
the society was already contemplating the erection of a new hall
and library room on ground which was at that time for sale, near
the session house, " where the old burgh room stood." The cost
of the new ground and building was to have been £3000, and the
value of the old signet office was estimated at £200. The society
however, after some negotiations, thought fit to abandon the scheme.
Yet some increase of accommodation was imperative ; and when, two
years later, Mr. Walter Scott, the father of sir Walter, and other
influential members once more urged the acquisition of a set of rooms
with a hall (35 feet by 22) for the sum of £2000, a large majority
was in favour of the proposal. StUl nothing was done, until in
1782 the society was content to purchase the house or flat im-
mediately above the signet office in Writers' Court for a hall and
hbrary (at £342), adding to it, in the following year, the house im-
mediately below, which was purchased from Mr. James Marshall, W.S.
An entry from the hall into the exchange was then made. Here
was the library room, which contained the 3000 volumes catalogued
in the list of 1792, and which the committee of 1794 reported to be
" totally inadequate," from the great increase of books lately pur-
chased. The hall, too, described as 29 feet by 18, "with a large
table in the midst," was said to be not large enough for a fidl
meeting of the society, which then numbered about 280 members.
There was now some talk of acquiring part of the pubhc buUdings
about to be erected in connection with the parliament house, but the
project seenied too remote to be taken into practical consideration.
THE LIBEAEY Ixxiii
In the last year of the century a definite proposal was made to
purchase the house of Mr. Home Eigg in the Royal Bank Close
— a proposal vigorously advocated in the above-mentioned memorial
by Mr. Bell, who appends to his paper a plan of the building, with
certain alterations intended to adapt it to the needs of the society.
This house was to cost £2000. The principal apartment measured
no more than 30 feet by 1 8, but there were six other rooms besides one
intended for the signet office. Again the projected purchase failed
to secure the suffrages of the majority. But, as on the former occasion
(1782), the society preferred to enlai-ge its existing premises; and
accordingly, in 1807, secured the adjoining house belonging to Mr.
Ross for £220, and opened a door between the two houses. This
gave the members a room, slightly larger than that in Mr. Home
Rigg's house, and a residence for the officer. The new librarian,
Mr. Napier, took an active part in the transaction. It was in this
same year, 1807, that the curators opened a minute-book of then-
proceedings, and the first entries have reference to the necessary
alterations for the rearrangement of the books in the new building.
The revenue of the library fund was now about £500.
It is noteworthy that just six months after the books were re- New imii and library
distributed in their new home, Mr. Napier reported that the time P"i'»'»ent Square.
had now come when it appeared desirable for the society to co-
operate with other public bodies in the acquisition of the area laid
out for buildings in the vicinity of the parliament house. Shortly
afterwards we find Mr. Reid, architect, who was empowered to
treat with communities desirous of being accommodated in these
buildings,^ attending at the request of the library committee to
explain the plans he had drawn i;p. The space allotted to
the society was on the lower floor of the building, on a level
1 Trustees were named by act of parliament, library for the writera to the signet, "upon
for the purpose of erecting certain public their agreeing to defray a rateable propor-
buildings in immediate connection with the tion of the general expense. " — Report from the
parliament house, and it was proposed to in- library committee, March 7th, 1 809 (Jardine's
elude in the plan of these buildings a hall and Papers, vol. ii.),
k
Ixxiv THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
with the parliament house — into which there was to be a door
opening frora the lobby upon the site of the old goldsmiths' hall
— in length 103 feet, in breadth 38, and in height 20. At the ex-
tremity of this space and adjoining the signet office — a part of the
building for which provision was made in the act — it was proposed
to have small rooms opening from the library for committee
meetings, etc. The estimate of Mr. Reid, confirmed by an estimate
furnished by Mr. Burns on behalf of the society, was £5000.
£r . The committee calculated that, after the sale of the premises
in Writers' Court, there would probably be a deficiency of £3000,
and that the expenses of fitting up the new apartments would
amount to £1000 more. On this supposition they proposed to
borrow £4000 from the general or poor's fund, and to pay the
interest by an annual subscription of one guinea from each member.
The scheme was agreed upon at an annual meeting in March 1809.
Various modifications of the plan of the building Avere subsequently
made (November 1810) in certain details, especially with regard to
the arrangement of the rooms at the west end of the library ; and
there was considerable delay before the draft contract was completed.
From November 1810 to January 1812 nothing was done. The
society then called to their assistance Mr. Stark, architect, and
instructed him to prepare detailed designs and working plans, to
furnish them to Mr. Reid, and to inspect the work from time to
time as it proceeded. The building was begun in November 1812
and finished in March 1815. It was then found that there was
due to the trustees the sum of £3424, 3s. 7d., in addition to the
£5000 of the original estimate. £755, 10s. 3d. was to be paid to
architects ; the painting and carpets had cost £1050 ; and a honor-
arium of £525 was bestowed upon the librarian, who had through-
out superintended the work in all its details. The total cost of
the new buildings amounted, therefore, to £10,754, 13s. lOd.
The old apartments in Writers' Court sold for £1600. It was
now apparent that after the payment of the interest on the debt,
THE LIBEAEY Ixxv
and the salaries and other necessary annual expenses, there would,
with the existing sources of income, remain very little for books.
The tax on apprentices was accordingly now raised from £20 to £50,
which, it was calculated, would amount to, at least, £2000, and
would leave for the purchase of books £1286. This sum, adds the
committee, "although apparently large, will be found to be not
more than adequate for the expenditure necessary for preserving
the high character the library has already most justly acquired." *
The books now multiplied rapidly. From 1808 to 1814, in Expenditure
the enlarged rooms in Writers' Court, the progress had been steady, °" books.
the annual expenditure on books and bindings gradually advancing
from £450 to £632. But in 1815 the curators recognised that this
was not " nearly adequate to the double purpose of supplying the
many deficiencies in useful literature and the new publications of
interest." The average expenditure for the next seven years
suddenly leapt to £1155 for books alone. In 1823 the sum so spent
was £1575, exclusive of £256 for binding ; and in the following year
the same accounts amounted to £1994, 12s. 3d. The library also
received in 1821 a remarkable donation of Polish literature and
works upon Poland, 180 volumes in all, from the count Constantin
Zamoyski, in recognition of the courtesy shown by the society in
allowing him and his friends the use of the library ; and his generous
example was shortly aftei-wards followed by count Sobieski, who
presented fifty additional volumes of the same kind. In 1825 it
was reckoned that the number of books was five times what it had
been in 1805, that is, probably about 30,000 volumes as compared
with the 6000 of the former date.
It is not surprising that the society should, by this time, have Acquisition of
again felt the pressure of want of space. The apartment hitherto ^ ""^^^
used as a lecture room in the basement was in 1825 appropriated
for books. In the following year, Mr. Napier reported that further
' "E«port from the committee respecting the new hall and library, 24th November 1815."—
Jardine's Collection, vol. ii. No. 20.
Ixxvi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS tO THE SIGNET?
accommodation had been gained by the removal of the business of
the signet office to the general register house, and he was looking
forward with much satisfaction to the possession of "the noble
library room lately purchased from the faculty of advocates."
The room or hall referred to, occupying the floor above the signet
library, formed part of the advocates' library. It was purchased by
the society for the sum of £12,000 in 1826, but for a few years
more the faculty of advocates retained the use of the room, paying
rent to the society. In 1826, also, certain alterations were made
in the lower floor or basement, and a sunk area was formed on the
north side of the library. In 1829, Ave find Mr. Napier requiring
the assistance of two sub-librarians, for (he reported), "besides
the large room or hall, there are at present five apartments, one
of very considerable dimensions, nearly filled with books, all of
which apartments have been brought into use within the last few
years. Two assistants will at least be necessaiy, even if not a
third, when the upper hall comes into vise."
Regulations for the management of the library, substantially
those now in force, were at this date (1826) printed, and the
librarian was instructed, that it was his duty " to attend to the
selection and purchase of books, not merely the publications of
the day, but all the works in the various departments of learn-
ing, ancient and modem, proper for the formation of a general
library on an extensive scale." As an example of the liberal
manner in which this principle was put in practice, it may be
noticed that in 1832, at a meeting of the curators, it was on the
suggestion of the librarian, unanimously resolved to purchase the
Cabinet die Roi for £120, and ffumholdt's Voyages for £160.
At last in 1833 access was obtained to the upper hall. Thirteen
thousand volumes were removed to this hall. Alterations were
made in the staircase leading to it, and a new communication
effected with the basement floor from the east end.
About this time (1834-6), a number of portraits of eminent
Ixxviii THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
" One man is climbing the heights of Chimborazo in a marvel-
lously fine set of Humboldt's travels : another is measuring a
portion of the Coliseum in a set of Firanesi's works, of equal
splendour and perfection : a third is lost in astonishment at the
wild gambols of some savages in a proof impression of one of the
plates of Be Bnj : a fourth is mounting a pyramid in Denon's Egypt :
while yonder is an active group busied in gazing upon the statues
of the Florentine and Clementine museums. Apart sits a solemn
student, extracting from the lore of the Acta Sanctorum, in a copy
of that work which had been Meerman's, and which, as far as my
own experience goes, is unrivalled for ligature and condition. And
then such a beautiful set of Plcart ! But this is highly irregular.
My good friend, the newly appointed librarian of this collection,
Mr. David Laing, stands on the landing-place of the upper room to
receive me. I had first, however, surveyed the lower room. Each
room is 120 feet in length ;^ and enfiladed — especially in the lower
one — by two such long rows of Doric columns, so closely communi-
cating with each other, that the effect is most singular — and
certainly not in the best taste. You would fancy in a little time,
that these pillars would leave their resting-places, and go down a
country dance with their opposite neighbours. The upper room is
as thickly studded with pillars as the lower ; but they are less
heavy, and fluted — of the Ionic order.^ The whole effect of this
upper room is exceedingly beautiful as well as novel : while the
central cupola, filled with an allegorical painting by Stothard,^ adds
to the lightsomeness and splendour of the interior. My last visit to
' The more correct measurements have been traits of orators, poets, historians and philo-
given above, p. Ixxi. sophers. Opposite Apollo is Demosthenes with
* Rather, of the Corinthian order. Cicero on his right, and Herodotus and Livy
' This painting was begun by Stotliard on his left. The modern historians and philoso-
June 4th, and finished August 1st, 1S22, when phers are Hume, Robertson, Gibbon, Sir Isaac
the hall was in the possession of the advocates. Newton, Lord Bacon, Napier of Merchiston,
This design, which Mrs. Bray {Life of Thomas and Adam Smith. In the group of poets
Stothard, p. 166), describes as " a splendid Homer occupies the centre, with Shakesi>eare
monument of his genius," represents Apollo and and Burns on his right, and Milton and Virgil
the Muses in the centre, surrounded by por- on his left.
rrr-'j-yrc,, rrrrr r THE LIBRARY -Trfrnt)" m? r ixxix
this interior was in company with Macvey Napier, Esq., the late
librarian ; who kindly devoted the better part of an hour to give
me a precis of its contents. The plan is admirable. No pains have
been spared to render this fine collection of books of real service to
the studious. Long sets of the most costly volumes — such as are
beyond the means of ordinary private purses to procure — are here
duly arranged — to captivate the eye and warm the heart of the
tasteful. A spirit of liberality has been evinced, such as I find
nowhere to the south ; and if Edinburgh produce not a genuine
breed of all that is good and gracious in boke=lore, the fault must not
be laid at the doors of those to whom this magnificent and richly
furnished library is intrusted.
"In the whole, there may be (as was stated to me) 40,000
volumes in this collection. The materiel — as I chuse to designate
it — is admirable. Below, there are abundant small rooms for maps,
journals, and periodicals. Here business is done. Above, the fruits
of that business palpably appear. When George iv. visited Edin-
burgh, he was, as he well might be, struck and delighted with the
beauty of the upper library. It will always have pleasing re-
miniscences for me : for a more friendly and gratifying hour was
never spent in any library, than that which I spent here in com-
pany with its late distinguished librarian."
In 1837 Mr. Macvey Napier, having been appointed one of Mr. Napier's
the principal clerks of session, resigned the office of librarian. In «°'^''^^i'»^™«'"'-
a letter conveying his resignation to the curators, dated April 12th,
he wrote : —
" I found it a small, yet viewed with reference to its contents
a valuable, collection, for it had been formed chiefly by three mem-
bers of the body possessing great zeal and intelligence, and no
inconsiderable literary attainments and reputation, viz., Mr. John
Davidson, Mr. William Tytler, and Mr. David Erskine. It has been
^^ A Bibliographical, Antiquarian, a7id Pictur- and Scotland, by Thomas F. Dibdia, DJ),
etqueTour in the Northern Counties of England (Lond. : 1838), vol. iL p. 600. ^^^ >' '
Ixxx THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
by following their example, in procuring books, the possession of
which imparts lustre to a library, and in filling up systematically
the blanks in those departments more specially interesting to a
society like ours — an object which the ample funds, for many years
placed at my disposal, enabled me to accomplish — that I now leave
it one of the choicest and most valuable repositories of learning this
part of the island possesses. No one can ever again witness or aid
such changes in its progress as have occurred during the last thirty
years — changes which, from an obscure, murky and dangerous
neighbourhood, have placed it prominently in the public eye, in
apartments every way worthy of a great society, and which form
one of the ornaments of this beautiful city."
Mr. Napier left the library with a little less than half its
present number of volumes. His extensive knowledge of books,
which the variety of his own literary pursuits compelled him to
keep well up to date, admirably fitted him for the selection of the
best works on every requisite subject. In the year of his appoint-
ment as librarian, he wrote his first article in the Edinburgh
Review, of Avhich in 1829, and thenceforward during its most
flourishing period, he was the editor. He was also the editor of
the supplement to the EncyclopcBdia Britannica, published in six
volumes in 1824, and of the seventh edition, in twenty-one volumes,
which first went to press in 1830. In 1816, he was made lecturer
on conveyancing to the society, and continued to hold the same
office when in 1824 it was converted into a professorship at the
university. He died in 1846.
Mr. Da\'id Laing, Mr. David Laing was elected Mr. Napier's successor as libra-
1 ranan, . ^.^^ June 21, 1837. This illustrious scholar, who lived to edit
some eighty separate works of Scottish literature and history, and
obtained a European reputation as the facile princeps of Scottish
antiquaries, was, when quite in his youth and acting as assistant to
his father, William Laing, the Edinburgh bookseller — already recog-
nised as a most genuine specimen of the old-fashioned bibliopole,
THE LIBEAKY Ixxxi
possessing " a truly wonderful degree of skill and knowledge in
almost all departments of bibliography." In 1818, when in his
twenty-fifth year, he was one of the candidates for the keepership
of the advocates' library. In 1823, on the institution of the Banna-
tyne club, under the presidency of his friend sir Walter Scott, he
was installed as its secretary, a post which he occupied until the
dissolution of the club. In 1824, he was elected a fellow of the
society of antiquaries, for which he acted for many years as foreign
secretary ; and there was scarcely a volume of the Transactions
to which he was not in some measure a contributor. The testi-
monials which Mr. Laing brought in support of his candidature for
the signet library were furnished to him by some twenty of the
most eminent men of letters in England and Scotland. " Upon
the strength of such testimonials," exclaimed Dr. Dibdin, " he
ought to continue librarian for the next centviry." He in fact did
so continue for forty -one years.
Unfortunately, just at the moment of Mr. Laing's appointment, Depression
the funds of the society were suffering from an unwonted depres- °^ ^""''^'
sion ; and for the next ten years or more, the increase of the library
was by no means on a par with that in the preceding twenty. In
1857, a further restriction in the purchase of books was found to be
necessary. The sum allowed for that purpose was, indeed, in one
year reduced to £150. It is not therefore surprising that, a
few years later, the librarian was compelled to report that the
library was "falling into arrears in aU departments of literature
except perhaps that of law." The funds, however, before long
recovered their normal condition, but the society thought fit to
continue for many years a certain restriction upon the expenditure
in order to form a reserve fund. Thus from 1867 to 1877, the
annual amount spent on books and binding averaged no more than
£298; whereas the average for the ten years 1823-1833 was
£1500, reaching on one occasion a total of £4044. Yet, notwith-
standing the comparative smallness of the sum at his disposal,
I
Ixxxii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Mr. Laing's unrivalled knowledge of books, especially of such as
were connected with the national history and literature, enabled
him, at a time when bargains could be made more easily than now, to
acquire for the library many rare and precious volumes. Meanwhile,
many improvements were effected in the library in other directions.
Catalogues The curators attached great importance to the possession of
of library. complete and accessible catalogues. On Mr. Napier's accession to
the office of librarian, the only available catalogue was the some-
what impracticable classified catalogue of Mr. Sandy, already
described. During the period of the rapid increase of books which
, followed, the curators were content to print a succession of supple-
ments to this catalogue. The first of these appeared in 1820, con-
taining the increase of ten years, arranged alphabetically according
to authors in the ordinary manner. Six years later (1826) appeared
another supplement equal in bulk to the former. In 1833 Mr,
Sandy's thick quarto volume was recast with an alphabetical arrange-
ment, and reduced in size, in uniformity with the supplements, and
entitled part i. In the same year a third supplement, or part iv.,
was printed, comprising the additions since 1826. Thus the entire
catalogue was made up of four equal divisions, running through four
separate alphabets. To mitigate this obvious inconvenience an index
to the whole was immediately projected by Mr. Shiells, one of the
assistant librarians ; but this was not completed and printed until
1837, shortly after Mr. Napier's resignation. This index, occupying
282 pages quarto in double columns, though primarily occasioned by
the accident of the quadruple form of the general catalogue, was, in
fact, an elaborate subject-index on a scale seldom before attempted,
and it proved to be of the greatest practical value long after the
general or authors' catalogue, to which it was appended, had ceased
to be in common use.
No new catalogues were attempted for more than twenty years.
But in 1849 the society authorised a grant of £150 a year towards
the expenses of preparing and printing a new general catalogue.
■-/ ,■ 1».-
THE LIBKAEY Ixxxui
This was completed in manuscript, occupying fifteen folio volumes,
by the end of 1855. In the meanwhile there was a project of
printing a series of classified catalogues of the libraiy in sections.
Mr, William Ivory, W.S., undertook the department of law, Mr.
Andrew Murray, W.S., was to compile a catalogue of the works on
natural history and science, and Mr. Laing was himself engaged
upon the class of British antiquities and topography. Mr. Ivory's
labours alone issued in a successful result. On his recommendation
the collection of civil law and foreign jurisprudence was very much
enlarged, and his classified catalogue, enriched with historical and
critical notes, was fairly adjudged to be the best arranged law
catalogue then in existence. It was now resolved to print the
general or authors' catalogue. The first sheets were sent to the
press in 1865, and the first volume (A — L) was completed and
circulated in 1871. Before the printing of the second volume had
advanced further than the letter N, Mr. Laing died, October
18, 1878.
The present librarian, Mr. Thomas Graves Law was elected Mr. T. G. Law,
March 24, 1879. The curators took the opportunity of his appoint- "^'■*"^"-
ment to reaffirm the prmciple laid down in 1853, that "the funds
of the society should be applied to procuring such books as are
absolutely necessary for a public library, such as systematic treatises
useful for reference and consultation, and particularly those books on
history, philosophy, the arts and sciences, of an expensive descrip-
tion, which are not generally to be found in private libraries."
Instructions were also given to the librarian that the blanks which
had occurred in these departments, owing to the recent limitation of
the funds, should be gradually and systematically filled up.
Over 1800 volumes lying unbound were sent to the binder.
The general catalogue was then proceeded with. The second volume,
with a supplement, was issued early in 1883. Meanwhile, an in-
ventory or shelf list was taken of all the books as they stood in
their presses, and a slip catalogue made of a collection of 20,000
Ixxxiv THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
pamphlets, which, on Mr. Laiiig's plan, had not been entered in the
general catalogue ; and finally, a subject-index was compiled on the
lines of Mr. Shiells' index of 1837. This index is now passing
through the press, and when issued will be accompanied by a second
supplement containing the accessions to the library since 1882.
Comparative The library which has thus grown up out of the resolution of
signet library, the Society in 1778, and which now takes rank with the chief public
libraries of the United Kingdom, is yet essentially a private library.
It is spoken of as a public library, only inasmuch as the society has
at all times offered to strangers every reasonable access to its
treasures. A view of its relation to other institutions of the kind
may therefore be of interest. In Scotland it is surpassed in size
and value by only five libraries, viz., those of the faculty of
advocates and the four universities. These ancient fovmdations
have had the privilege and advantage derived from the copy-
right act, which entitled them to receive without payment copies of
every book entered at Stationers' -hall ; and the universities which
no longer possess this right have had it commuted for an annual
grant of money from the public funds. The signet library, again,
is outnumbered in volumes by, perhaps, a dozen libraries in London,
by two in Cambridge, by the Bodleian in Oxford, and by Trinity
CoUege library in Dublin. But outside of London and the imi-
versities, it is surpassed only by the new free libraries, supported by
the rates, in such large towns as Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham,
Leeds, and possibly Sheffield and Salford. But, on the other hand,
the signet library, although it has had from time to time some valu-
able gifts from authors, editors, or private friends, has never received
a single grant of money or books from public sources. It possesses
no endowment. It has been raised from first to last without any
extraneous aid, by the annual income of the society, the fees of
intrants, and the contributions of members. It may be safely said
that no other professional community — whether legal, medical, or
ecclesiastical — no scientific academy or society, in the whole of the
THE LIBEARY bcxxv
United Kingdom can point to a collection of equal dimensions
foimed by similar means.
The story of the library thus far may be said to end, as it began,
with the struggles of its curators to provide room for its healthy and
inevitable growth. A library which ceases to grow soon becomes a
collection of curiosities, interesting mainly to the antiquary. Old
books are useful and profitable in proportion as they can be brought
into contact with the newest and freshest. During the last ten
years room has had to be found for as many thousands of volumes,
while vacant corners and cellars in the basement, for lack of better
accommodation, have been fitted up with shelves for their recep-
tion. But, as the laudable ambition and enterprise which have
founded and enriched the collection show no sign of abatement, the
signet library has yet a promising future, and this brief sketch
tells but the first chapter of its history.
CHAPTER III.
THE FINANCES.
The materials for the financial history of the society before the
close of the last century are comparatively meagre and intermittent.
The accounts of the treasurers of a date earlier than 1793 have not
been preserved, and prior to that time the facts have to be gathered
from information incidentally supplied in the minutes.
Sources of For more than a hundred years after the commencement of the
existing minutes (1594), the society possessed neither library nor
house ; and the calls upon its funds appear to have been almost
exclusively in aid of indigent and infirm members, or the widows of
members. A main source of the income of those days arose from
Fines. the fines levied upon members for transgressions of the rules of the
brotherhood. Some of these fines have been already referred to in
the first chapter.^ Thus, a fine of forty shillings was exacted from
all members who neglected to attend meetings of the society when
called upon to do so by the officer, and the money in this case, as
in other instances, is expressly set apart ad pios usus.^ There was
a fine of ten shillings imposed, in January 1606, for not delivering
" ane copie of their servandis and prenteis hand writtis." The sum
of five pounds was to be paid by any writer found drinking in taverns
in time of session. It was in 1647 that the noteworthy rule was
made, imposing a fine of 12s. upon any writer who should absent
himself from the burial of another member, his wife or children.
In 1610 George Mak was appointed to pass through the brethren's
booths " and tak tryall quhat enormities and contraventionis are
committed against the actis, and to report monthly, under the pain
of 40s. each month."
' Supra, p. xxiv. ' Abstract of minutes, jj{/V«, p. 230 ; compare pp. 244, 247, 254, 270, 277.
THE FINANCES Ixxxvii
Other sums were derived from the dues paid by apprentices and Dues of appren-
intrants. These payments varied in amount from time to time." intrants.
On 23d June 1628 John Tais was bound for three years and paid
" an angeL" There are entries of payments for apprentices of £3 : 6 : 8
each, in the same year; and of ten merks in 1642, 1649, and 1658.
In 1656 it was resolved that each writer should on his admission
pay ten merks. This sum was in the following year raised to twenty
merks, and in 1671 each intrant had to pay "fourtie merks Scots
money to the poores box and twentie merks to the clerk."
It is obvious that the sums accumulated from such sources at
this period can never have been large. In 1594, as we have
already seen,^ the number of members was expressly restricted
to 24 ; and half a century later, during the Protectorate, it was
similarly limited to 36. After that date, indeed, as the keeper
in a memorial addressed to the secretaries of state, complained, the
society increased "immoderately," so that in 1731 their number
had reached 110 ; but the increase was "to the great loss of the
whole body, for half the members could not possibly live upon their
incomes, and hence a larger proportion of aged and infirm brethren
was brought to depend upon the society's funds for maintenance." *
The " poores box " above mentioned is frequently referred to in Box for funds,
the minutes, and was treated with some formality. This box was in
the hands of the clerk, and was used for keeping the funds as well
as the securities for money lent, at least up to 1692. Thus, on the
3d December 1616,* the application of Andro Hamilton "for some
help and supplie to his grite necessitie, and as he that sumtyme had
servit sum of the brethren," was read and considered, and the whole
brethren voted twenty pounds " out of certane money that wes in
ane box of tymmer of thairs in the handis of Thomas M'Aulay
thair clerk, upon condition that the said Andrew should not
trouble the members with " ony forder sute in tyme cuming " ;
1 Infra, pp. 246, 252, 253, 256, 269, 272, 277, 281. 313, 329, 330, 334, 366, 370.
2 Suyra, p. xxii. > Infra, pp. 289-392. * Infra, p. 250.
Ixxxviii THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
Appointment of
a treasurer.
Auditors.
and upon a similar application made in August 1618 by Mr.
Adam Hall, who had been some time " ane advocat and sua ane
brother," the Commissioners agreed to give him £20, " as the
rest of sum money in ane tymmer box." In 1627 there was
apparently need of another box, for on the 24th December in that
year it was agreed "to have a box for the fines and unlaws "with
two keys, one to be held by the keeper of the register and the
other by Robert Alschinder, keeper of the signet ; " and in June
following there is record of "20 merks debursit for making of
the box." On the same day, in presence of the commissioners
the " unlaws " of George Haliburton, Robert Wallace, and David
Crichton, amounting to £9, 16s., were put in the box.
It was not until 1656 that a treasurer was annually appointed
" for keeping the box and employing the money on sufficient security
in his own name for the weill of the body." The president now
held one key, and the treasurer the other ; while the box was to be
opened and the money employed only by the advice of the conunis-
sioners. The treasurer soon needed yet another box, and one of a
more expensive character, for he reports in 1667 that he " had bocht
ane box with locks and bands for the use of the calhng at the sight
of the keeper of his majesties signet, and that he had payde
therefoire fourtie-two pounds two shillings." '
Committees were from time to time appointed as auditors to
" sicht the box," or to " take tryall of the box and conditions thairof
and bandis and assignatiounis thairin contenit, and to report to
the bretherne." One such committee reports (January 9, 1647)
that it finds, with various securities, an assignation by the late
Thomas M'Awlay to the brethren of a bond of 1000 merks granted
to him by the laird of Kilspindie, "bot findis not the bande."
They find other assignations, one of 500 merks and another of
350, but in each case " missis the band." The bonds, however,
1 This is probably the box which is still pre-
served in the library, and which is figured
«i,t the end of this section. In an abstract
of accounts there appears an entry, " Old
boxes sold, £9, 2s. 6d,"
TaKDT-:? WR" THE FINANCES Ixxxix
were ultimately recovered. The committee find no money in
the box save two new dollars and some notes, whereof £89 Scots
are bestowed " on pious uses."
On April 30th, 1683, a repoi't upon James Allan's accounts
shows charge and ready money £738, 13s. 4d, discharge £725, 6s. 8d. ;
"the balance due by the compter £13, 6s. 8d." On March 14th,
1688, the auditors find that there is due to the society, of good
debts £6231, 17s. 2d. (Scots), and of bad debts £1614, 5s. The
yearly pension to the poor, servants' fees, and occasional charitable
supplies, are stated at £677.
In August 1695 the society took an important step which marks Acquisition of
a new departure in its financial as well as in its social history. The *'^^* °®°^'
increase in the number of pensioners required an augmentation of
the funds for their relief. A previous act exacting payment from
members of £3 annually for this purpose had proved for the most
part ineffectual. It was now proposed that the society should pur-
chase a house to serve as signet office and place of meeting. The
price of this house was to be contributed "out of the wryters their
own private pockets" and every writer was to give at least 100
merks in lieu of the aforesaid annual subscription of £3 ; or, other-
wise he and his posterity were to be " for ever excluded the benefite
of the poore box, except such as shall be excused by the body of the
writers ; and in case this sum should fall short of the price of the
house, the present stock of the poor be made use of to supply what
shall be wanting." The annual rent of the house was to be paid
into the poor's fund. There was said to be a building "by Robert i
Milne of Alexander Crombie's land," where a convenient house of
the kind might be secured, and it was agreed to convene a general
meeting the next day in the parliament house to consider the motion.
Accordingly, on August 15th, 1695, a committee was appointed
to meet with Robert Mylne and Patrick Steele, to treat with them
anent the purchase of the house. Finally the house in question was
acquired for the sum of 5500 merks ; and the keeper, commissioners,
111
xc
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
Grants of
pensions.
Library fund.
and writers approving of the transaction {June 1696), appoint the
contributions to be paid to the treasurer before Candlemas next,
and determine^ that those who do not contribute shall continue to
pay the previous tax of £3 annually and have their letters stopped
vuitil their bygone dues are paid. The commissioners now let to
the keeper this same "lodging with its cellars and garrets" for the
current year at 300 merks, seeing that the house is not fully
furnished, and for subsequent years at a rent of £20 sterling. In
the same year (1696) John M'Farlane, the treasurer, reports that
the stock belonging to the calling extends to "about twelve
thousand merks or thereby, by and attour the pryce of the lodgings
lately bought by them."
In 1706 the pensions granted by the society are stated at £699
(omitting shillings and pence). In 1711 the treasurer is ordered to
pay "the new establishment of pensions," £943. The distribution
to the poor in 1738 is set down at £850 ; in 1742 at £950 ; in 1744
at £1416 ; in the following year at £1404; whUe in 1746 it had
fallen to £1176 Scots. On 27th December 1759 it was agreed to
augment the pensions to widows to £12 sterling each, and on 8th
March 1765 they were advanced to £20 sterling ; but it does not
appear how many widows were then on the roll.
While, however, the funds of the society were hitherto mainly
devoted to the relief of poor members and their families, means
had been found to contribute largely, as has been stated,^ to other
benevolent and patriotic objects.
Meanwhile, a new and heavy demand upon the resources of the
society arose from the establishment of the library, of which an
account is given in the preceding chapter. It was soon found
necessary to institute a separate library fund, supported mainly by
payments exacted from apprentices and intrants. The entrance fee
of writers had in 1736 been fixed at 500 merks. In 1755 it was
resolved that each intrant should pay three guineas towards the
liv, Iv, Ivi.
THE FINANCES xci
purchase of books, and in 1769 this tax was raised to £20 sterHng.
In 1779 apprentices paid £5 to the library in part payment of the
£10 to be paid by intrants.
The end of the eighteenth century found the society still occu-
pymg a comparatively small house (notwithstanding sundry addi-
tions made to the original lodging acquired in 1696), and possessmg
a library of little more than 3000 volumes, in Writers' Court. The
funds of the society had, however, considerably increased, and from
1792 we have full information regai'ding its financial transactions
in the occasional abstracts and reports printed by order.*
For example, we find that in this year 1792 the society possessed Fuuda in 1792.
from the poor's fund an income of £825. Thus :
Money lent on securities to the amount of
£9921 bore as interest, .... £494 14 8
An annuity payable by the trustees of
John Strachan of Craigcrook," . . . 5 110
The rent of the signet office, . . . 20 0 0
Rent of a house in Gavin! och's land belong-
ing to the society, 14 0 0
Carryforward, £534 5 8
' They will be found in the collection of signet Report of committee on the funds of the
papers formed by sir Henry Jardine and others, society (1830), with appendix on the state of
and now preserved in the library. See : — the income and expenditure of the general fund.
Abstract of funds of the society of writers to 1823-1829 (Jardine, iv.).
the signet, for ten years from 1st January 1792 to Abstract of accounts, December 1829-Deoem-
1st January 1802 (Jardine's Collection, vol. i.). ber 1833 (Jardine, iv.).
Report from the committee respecting the r ^ of the committee on funds, 21st Jan-
new hall and hbrary, 24th November 1815. jgae (Jardine, iv.).
Supplementary report, 5th December 1815 „ ^ i, . , r ^i • ^ j t ...
(Jardine vol ii ) Report on the funds of the society and of the
Report of ihe committee on the new hall and "°"*^i^*?" *° *^ '^'^'"'^' ^"°'^' •^'""' "^'^
library, 1st February 1816. ^^ {3>^Tdme, iV. ).
Abstract of the accounts of the intromissions Extract from minutes of the meeting of the
of the late Richard Hotchkiss, ex-treasurer, unitedcommittees on funds and the library, with
etc., with library fund of the society, and view memorials ■^^ queries for the treasurer of the
of the tangible fund of the library, 1806-1826 society, 6th February 1824 (folio collection).
(Jardine, iii.). Report of the curators of the library and corn-
Abstract of accounts of the intromissions mittee on funds, 1857 (Reports, 8vo collection).
of Richard Mackenzie, treasurer, 1826-1829
(Jardine, iii.). » See supra, p. Iviii.
xcii THE SOCIETY OE WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
Brought forward,
Dividends from Edinburgh friendly insur-
ance company on the society's property,
insured on the old plan, ....
Dues from eight intrants at £27, 15s. 7d., .
„ forty-foul- indentures at £1,
,, eighteen clerks entered at the
signet office, who had not paid before as
apprentices,
The Expenditure included
Salary of treasurer,
„ liis clerks,
Society's exti-actor,
Officer,
Hall-keeper,
Fees to officers, .
Interest to Aberdour hospital,
Pension to three brethren at £30,
Three-fourths of another.
Pensions to nine widows at £25, .
Allowance to families and relations per
warrant, .
Miscellaneous articles,
£534
5
8
6
19
H
222
4
8
44
0
0
18 0 0
£825 9 8^
£5 0 0
10 10 0
15 0 0
10 0 0
4 0 0
18 15 4
20 0 0
90 0 0
22 10 0
225 0 0
414 0 0
15 11 0
£857 6 5
The amount of library fund at same date was, £1363, 2s. 3|d.
The Income consisted of —
Dues paid by eight intrants at £5, . . £40 0
Dues paid by forty-three apprentices, at £10, 430 0
Interest, 10 18
0
0
H
£480 18 li
THE FINANCES if* xciii
The discharge consisted of cash paid for books, etc., £230, 8s. 5d.
A notable event in connection with the financial history of the The new library
society was the arrangement made in 1809 by which the society parii^ent"
agreed to erect, in the ParUament Square, the present lower hall Square.
and adjoining apartments on the same floor, for the estimated
sum of £5000. To raise the money it was resolved to sell the
old tenement (which was eventually done for £1600) and to borrow
the remainder from the poor's or general fund. The interest of
the sum so borrowed was paid, as before mentioned, by an annual
contribution of one guinea from each member.^
The new buildings were not completed tUl 1815, when the actual
expenditure had so far exceeded the estimated cost as to amount to
not less than £12,000.
A committee appointed to consider the state of the finances
reported, in November 1815, that the existing revenue applicable
to the support of the library at this time arose from the £20 fee
paid by apprentices, from the annual tax of a guinea which gave
£300, and from the tax on precepts passing the signet,^ which
averaged £60. The apprentice sum payable was now raised from
£20 to £50. There had been on an average, during the preceding
six years, forty -five apprentices admitted annually. The committee,
assuming that there would be at least forty in futxire years, set
down £2000 a year as a moderate estimate of the income to be
expected from this source alone. The expenditure upon books had
been in 1809, £450, and in 1814, £682. It was hoped that
1 See supra, p. Ixxiv. vocation, and five shillings upon each signature
' The first recorded instance in the minutes passing the signet." But as the buUding con-
of the society exercising the right of levying templated was not proceeded with, probably the
extra dues or taxes on letters passing the signet tax at the signet was not levied. In the " act
was on 12th February 1753, in reference to a anent the future management of the society's
proposal to erect offices for the custom house stock, 16th January 1744 " {Jardi7ie Papers,
and clerks of session, in which the society was vol. i.), the keeper and commissioners state that
to have a hall rent free. It was unanimously " a considerable part of the present public stock
agreed to contribute 500 guineas towards the and fund have arisen from a voluntary tax im-
expense and to raise the amount "by a tax posed by a general meeting of the whole body
at the signet of one penny sterling upon each on letters and others passing the signet, which
homing, sixpence upon each suspension or ad- tax still subsists."
XCIV
THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
Financial
difficulties.
Further
difficulties.
the increased revenues would admit of an additional expenditure
of £300.
Before, however, many years had passed the society found itself
in the presence of serious difficulties. The pressure upon both the
poor's fund and the library fund was more than these could well
support. The act of parliament, instituting the widows' scheme,
required payment from the society of the sum of one pound
for each contributor to the scheme. This annual charge in 1804
amoTuited to £200, but in 1829 it had risen to £581, whUe the total
amount paid from the commencement to 1830 was £9000. More-
over, notwithstanding these contributions to the widows' fund,
large sums continued to be awarded by the society to deserving
works of charity both within and without the brotherhood. Thus
in the six years from 1806 to 1813, while the annual contribution to
the widows' scheme amounted to £1715, the pensions granted
reached a total of £1698, and gratuities awarded by warrants of
the committee reached a further sum of £1336. Yet in 1812 the
society gave £200 towards the charity workhouse, and in 1824 the
sum of £273 to the rehef of sufferers from the fire which took place in
the Parliament Square on November 16th of that year. In 1832 an-
other sum of £315 was contributed towards the charity workhouse.
On the other hand, with regard to the library fund, the mcrease
of books involved increase of accommodation, and in 1828 it was
agreed to purchase from the faculty of advocates the upper hall
for the sum of £12,000.^ Necessary alterations in the staircase and
in the area of the buildings about the same time brought up the
total to £14,616. In addition to this large expenditure there fell
upon the society in 1834 a loss of £1545 by a failure of bankers.
It should be mentioned that meanwhile the interest due from
the library to the poor's fund was, in 1824, £548, 7s. Id. The
number of members liable to the annual subscription of a guinea
towards its payment was 443, and this left the debt £80 in excess
' See supra, p. Ixxvi.
T;r"if;; THE FINANCES xcv
of the contribution. Another change was, in consequence, made in
the mode of raising the requisite sum. Intrants henceforth were to
pay on admission, in lieu of the annual guinea, £10, and apprentices
£10 on entering into indenture, while existing members liable to
the tax were invited to commute it for £5, 5s.
Before matters had come to the worst, a special committee. Recommendation
in 1830, had recommended an addition of £30 to be made to the fee I'.fnds""'"*^ ""
of apprentices, and £22, 4s. 5d. be added to the payments made by
intrants. These augmentations, which were approved by the society,
brought the total of dues payable by intrants to £60, at which they
still remain. The dues from apprentices were once more raised in
1842, when they became what they now are, £131, Is. The com-
mittee of 1830 calculated that the additions recommended by them
" would yield a total increase in the annual income of the society of
£1133, 8s., and that there would be an annual surplus of about
£800." The committee at the same time urged the amalgamation
of the poor and library funds, the separation of which had caused
complication and inconvenience. The union of the two funds was
carried out in 1834.
Nevertheless the sanguine expectations of 1830 were not realised.
In 1835 the ordinary funds were unable to meet the demands for
the annual contribution to the widows' fund, being £672 ; and, as
the result of a petition from the collector of that fund, parliament
(6 Will. IV. c. 22) relieved the society from the burden, which in
another form was placed upon the apprentices. There was still no
sufficient revenue independently of the dues from apprentices and
intrants, and these dues, the annual total of which had always been
subject to embarrassing fluctuations, now unfortunately underwent
for a series of years a considerable diminution. In the six years 1824-
1829 there had been 261 apprentices indentured and 219 intrants.
In the six years from 1838 to 1843 there were on the other hand no
more than 58 new apprentices and 44 intrants. In the ten years from
1824 to 1833 the receipts from their dues respectively amounted to
xcvi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Increase of
intrants.
Financial
improvement.
£41,522. In the ten years from 1838 to 1847 they had dropped
to £15,269. Finally, in the three years 1855-7, there was an excess
of expenditure over income to the amount of £2320 ; and now, once
more (1857) a special committee was appointed to consider and
advise upon the state of affairs.^ The extreme measure of cutting
down the expenditure on books to £150 a year was resorted to with
reluctance, and on all sides the most rigid economy was practised.
There was a deficit in 1859, again in 1860, and for the last time in
1869, when an outlay of £1455 was considered necessary for painting,
repairs, and furniture; but with these exceptions, from 1857 to the
present time, the income has always exceeded the expenditure.
The number of intrants had indeed begun to increase a few
years before 1857. The cause of the increase was perhaps in part
the falling off in the number of members, which in 1836 had reached
the high figure of 707. In 1844 it had fallen to 662, and in 1858
to 523. In 1885 the number was 366. The recent increase in the
number of apprentices and intrants is remarkable. For, during
the years from 1862 to 1874 there were 168 apprentices indentured
and 118 intrants; in the same number of years, from 1876 to 1888,
there were 301 apprentices and 187 intrants. Accordingly the
funds of the society showed a rapid and marked improvement.
On I7th November 1862 it was reported that the whole debts
of the society had been paid, and in 1868 the sum of £1500 was lent
on debenture. In 1871 a further sum of £1000 was invested, while
the free funds were £7468, and these continued to increase, until
at 31st December 1889 they amounted to £44,886, 4s. 9d. r»;
In this last year the income derived from interests and divi-
dends was £1342, 9s. lid., while the receipts from dues of intrants
and apprentices were £4585, 2s. The total expenditure, on the
other hand, including £959, 19s. 3d. for books and binding, was
£4167, 10s. 7d.
' Report of the curators of tbe library and committee on fnnds, 1857, 8vo.
^V<,J
CHAPTER IV.
THE WIDOWS' FUND.
The idea of instituting a widows' fund for the society of
writers to the signet originated in 1780. Various plans for the
establishment of such a fund were then suggested by the Eev. Dr.
Alexander Webster, the founder of the ministers' widows' fund of the
church of Scotland, Mr. William Keith, Mr. William Farquharson,
and Mr. David Russell, accountants, Edinburgh, and others.
In 1780 life-assurance was but little known in Scotland, the
great Scottish insurance offices, which have since proved so success-
ful, not having been instituted until early in this century. Hence,
in 1780 it was difficult to obtain anything like accurate data as
to rates of mortality, etc., in Scotland, on which to base a scheme for
such an institution as a widows' fund.
The church of Scotland's ministers' widows' fund had, it is
true, been in operation since 1744, but the data which its experi-
ence could supply were insufficient to form a basis on which to
found a widows' fund for this society. The matter was there-
fore, after considerable discussion among the members, allowed for
the time to drop.
The agitation, however, caused some members to note for their
own information particulars as to the annual number of intrants to
the society, of the marriages and deaths of members, of the number
of widows left, of the deaths of these widows, and of other statistics
regarding the society.
In 1801, the proposal for a widows' fund was again revived,
principally owing to Mr. John Campbell, tertius, W.S., who took
a great interest in the matter, and who, from observations concern-
ing the society, collected between 1781 and 1801, as well as from
n
xcviii THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET.
January 1802.
July 4, 1803,
48 George iii.
chapter 107.
the information afforded by the " Northampton tables " of mortality,
which had then been recently published, and from the experience
of the ministers' widows' fund, had prepared a detailed scheme
for the establishment of a widows' fund for the society of writers
to the signet.
The subject was now taken up seriously. In January 1802,
Mr. William Keith, who had been consulted in 1780, and his partner,
Mr. Robert WUson, made a joint report on Mr. Campbell's scheme,
and after very careful consideration it was finally determined, at
a meeting of the society held on 7th February 1803, that a widows'
fund for the writers to the signet should be instituted, and the
meeting accordingly authorised the deputy keeper of the signet (Mr.
Hugh Warrender) " to sign a petition to the house of commons for
leave to bring in a bill for the establishment of a widows' scheme."
The promoters of the scheme forming a great majority of the
society, soon obtained the necessary act of parliament, " for raising
and securing a fund for making provision for the widows of the
writers to his majesty's signet in Scotland."
By this act the requisite funds for the scheme were to be
raised as follows : —
(1) Members were to pay yearly £6, 6s. by way of annual
contribution to the fund.
(2) A marriage tax of £10 was to be levied on each marriage
of original contributors, and an equalising tax of £1, 10s.
was to be payable for each year that the age of the con-
tributor might exceed that of his wife. ,, .
(3) The sum of £1 per annum for each contributor was to
be paid to the widows' fund out of the society's common
fund.
(4) A tax of £20 was to be paid by every apprentice entering
into indenture with a writer to the signet ; and
(5) A tax of £1, Is. was to be paid by members of the society
for every clerk they enrolled at the signet oflfice.
THE WIDOWS' FUND xcix
The annuity to be paid to widows of contributors was fixed
at £50 (no annuity, however, was to be paid until the term of
Whitsunday 1807), but whenever the accumulated funds should
amount to a capital of £200 for every contributor to the scheme,
the surplus was to be divided among the widows entitled to
annuities.
The adoption of the act by the then existing members of the
society was optional; but of the 295 members 194 acceded to the
scheme, and became contributors to its funds. Of these acceding
members 115 were mai-ried men. By the act it was made imperative
on future members to contribute to the fund.
The assumption on which the scheme proceeded was that a
capital of £200 for every contributor was sufiicient to secure an
annuity of £50 to each of the maximum number of widows which
could come on the fund — and that such a capital sum per member
would be many years in accumulating. It was found, however,
within a very few years after the passing of the act, that the fimds
were accumulating much faster than had been anticipated, and they
continued so to increase for many years.
In 1817 it became apparent that the fund would in a few
years amount to the calculated sum of £200 of capital for each
member. Moreover, as the clause (section 12) in the act, which
provided for the surplus beyond that amount of capital being
divided among the annuitants, would then come into operation,
it was felt that a complete investigation into the affairs of the
fund should be made, and the actual experience of the fund
compared with the contingencies which had been calculated for.
Mr. John Campbell, W.S., who, as already mentioned, was one of
the original promoters of the scheme, again gave much considera-
tion to the afiairs of the fund. On 24th November 1817 he called
the attention of the contributors to the injury which might be done
to the fimd if section 12 of the act (the clause which disposed of
surplus above a capital of £200 per member) were allowed to come
0 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET.
into opei-ation. A committee was appointed to inquire into the
the matter, and Mr. John Scott and Mr. William Keith, accountants
March 9, 1818. in Edinburgh, were asked to report on Mr. Campbell's statement.
These inquiries resulted in its being determined to obtain an amend-
ment of the act of parliament. • '^
May 23, 1818. In the following May the act 58 George iii. cap. 74 was
(1) Repealing the clause in the old act whereby any surplus
over a capital of £200 per contributor was to be paid
to the annuitants on the Fund.
(2) Abolishing the £1, Is. tax on clerks enrolled at the Signet
Office.
(3) Providing for an additional payment by intrants over
twenty -four years of age of a sum equal to half the
rates and interest thereon which they would have paid
had they become contributors at that age, and half the
annual interest on marriage and equalising taxes from
the date of marriage when the intrant was already
married.
(4) Providing for certain increased annuities to the widows
then on the fund, and for increasing the capital of the
fund towards ensuring permanency to the scheme for
additional amiuities.
May 1823. In May 1823 Mr. James Scott reported that the fund then
amounted, as had been anticipated, to more than £200 for each of
the 437 contributors to the scheme ; and, accordingly, in terms of
the last-mentioned act, the annuities were increased, as at Whit-
sunday 1824, to £70 to the widows who had been on the fund at
the passing of that act, and £60 to the other annuitants.
October 31, 1828. No further change in the fund's affairs took place imtil 1828,
when it was determined to obtain further reports from skilled
actuaries as to the position of the fund, and these were accordingly
THE WIDOWS' FUND d
obtained from Mr. James Cleghorn, actuary and accountant, Edin-
burgh, and Mr. James Scott, accountant, who had formerly in-
vestigated the affairs of the fund. The reports of these gentlemen,
and the experience of the fund since its institution, suggested
several improvements in the scheme with reference to both its
principles and the mode of management to be adopted for pro-
tecting the fund, and for securing adequate annuities to the widows,
and it was felt that a new act of parHament was requu'ed to place
the scheme on a satisfactory basis. Nothing definite, however, was
done towards this until 1830, when the contributors resolved to ''^^■
apply for a new act of parhament. This was obtained in the
following year, and the act 1 and 2 William iv. cap. 5, with the
slight modification aftermentioned, continues to regulate the affairs
of the fund at the present day.
The act of 1831, while repealing the prior acts, 43 George iii.
cap. 107, and 58 George iii. cap. 64, was practically a consolidation
act, and varied from these acts only in the following financial
enactments : —
1. Intrants above 24 years of age, when becoming contributors
to the fund, were to pay the full rate which they would have paid
to the fund had they become contributors at that age, instead of
the half rate formerly exigible.
2. The equaUsing tax payable on marriages was raised from
£1, IDs. for each year the contributor was older than his wife, to
£3, 10s. for each such year on Jirst marriages, and a higher rate,
varying according to the age of the contributor, on second and any
subsequent marriages.
At the general meeting of contributors held on 17th June June n, 1835.
1835, the collector of the fund reported that he had as usual
apphed to the treasurer for payment of £672, being the sum due
from the common fund of the society, viz., £1, for each of the
672 contributors to the fund at Whitsunday 1835, in terms
of section 13 of the act of 1 and 2 William iv. cap. 5, when
eU THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
the treasurer had informed him that, owing to the annual income
of the common fund having become insufficient to defray the
necessary annual burdens thereon, he could not pay the sum due to
June 17, 1835. the widows' fund without the special orders of the society. This
led to a committee of contributors being appointed to confer with
the trustees of the widows' fund, the curators of the library,
and the society's committee on funds, and to report to the con-
ti'ibutors what in the circumstances was best to be done. The inquiry
resulted in a petition to parliament, craving leave to bring in a
March 7, 1836. bill to amend the act 1 and 2 William iv. cap. 5.
In the following May the required act was obtained (6 Will. iv.
cap. 22), by which the fifteenth clause in 1 and 2 William iv. cap. 5,
which enacted that the sum of £1 for each contributor to the widows'
fund should be paid to that fund out of the common fund of the
society, was repealed, and it was enacted inter alia that —
(1) Apprentices entering in future into indentures with
writers to the signet should pay a tax of £30, in
addition to the £20 payable under the prior act, making
the apprentice tax in all £50 ; and
(2) The annuity payable to the widows on the fund was
raised to £75 per annum.
The act 1 and 2 William iv. cap. 5, as amended by the act 6
William iv. cap. 22, now regulates the affairs of the fund, under
the direction of the trustees, who are the deputy keeper of the
signet for the time ex officio, and six members of the society
elected by the contributors, assisted by the collector, who has
hitherto always been a member of the society, and who is annually
elected by the contributors. The office of trustee is honorary. The
collector is the only salaried official, he having the practical manage-
ment of the fund, including the collection of its income and payment
of the annuities to the widows of deceased contributors.
Although the election of the collector is annual, the office has
been practically ad vitam aut culjjam, for although the fund has
THE WIDOWS' FUKD ciii
now been in existence for eighty-six years there have only been five
collectors, viz : —
Mr. (afterwards) sir Adam Ferguson, from 1803 to 1806; Mr.
Francis Napier, from 1806 to 1818; Mr. James Stuart, from 1818
to 1828 ; Mr. Walter Cook, from 1828 to 1861 ; and Mr. John Cook,
who has held the office since 1861.
The accumulated funds at Whitsunday 1890 amounted to
£232,783, 6s. 7d.
The annual contribution payable by contributors is £6, 6s. 7d.,
whUe the annuity to widows of deceased contributors is presently
fixed at £80.
The maximum number of annuitants ever on the fund occurred
at Whitsunday 1882, when there were 175 annuitants, but the num-
ber has since steadily decreased, and was 140 at Whitsunday 1890.
The maximum number of contributors was reached at Whitsunday
1840, when the number was 685. The minimum number of con-
tributors occurred at Whitsunday 1884, when it was 368. Since
then the number of contributors has been increasing, and at Whit-
sunday 1890 it was 441,
The main cause of the prosperity of the fund at first was
apparently the comparatively low rate of marriage among the
contributors, and the consequent smaller number of annuitants
coming on the fund. On the other hand, the members have not
on the average attained their expectation of life, while the annui-
tants have considerably exceeded it.
The afiairs of the fund are periodically investigated at intervals
of seven years, in terms of sections 33 and 34 of the act 1 and
2 William iv. cap. 5, and the results of these investigations are
duly reported to the contributors by the trustees, who conduct the
inquiry with the assistance of an actuary. The rate of annuity
to be paid to widows of contributors for the ensuing period of seven
years is raised or reduced as the investigation shows to be expedient.
The amount of the annuity has thus varied considerably since the
oiy THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
commencement of the fund. It began at £50 per annum, and was
from time to time increased, till in 1866 it was raised to £90 per
annum, at which rate it continued till 1887, when, on account of the
low I'ate of interest, it was reduced on the recommendation of the
reporter who conducted the septennial investigation to £80, the
present rate.
The following septennial investigations have taken place since
the act of 1831 :—
In 1837 by Mr. James Cleghorn, accountant.
In 1844 by Mr. Holmes Ivory, accountant.
In 1851 by Mr. Holmes Ivory, accountant.
In 1858 by Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, C.A., F.F.A.
In 1865 by Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, C.A., F.F.A,
In 1872 by Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, C.A., F.F.A., and Mr.
William Thomas Thomson, F.E.S.E.
In 1879 by Mr. Adam Gillies Smith, C.A.
In 1886 by Mr. John MacGregor M'Candlish, W.S., F.KS.E.,
F.F.A.
A table is annexed showing the progress of the fund as regards
the numbers of contributors and annuitants, the amount of the
accumulated funds, etc., from the commencement of the scheme to
Whitsunday 1890:—
STATE showing some particulars as to the progress of the Widows
Fund from Martinmas 1803 to JVhit Sunday 1890 inclusive.
Rate of Interest
on Heritable Securities.
Year.
Contri-
butors.
Annui-
tants.
Annuity.
Fund.
Increase,
Decrease.
Whit-
sunday.
Martinmas.
1803
194
0
1 XT k "i
No Accounts.
\
1804
1805
1806
200
203
209
0
\ No Annuity pay-
1 able till Whit-
/■ Sunday 1807.
No Accounts.
£7,822
10,361
£2,539
...
...
1807
216
4
)
13,126
2,765 i ... 1 ...
;
1808
224
7
£50 0 0
15,981
2,855
...
5
5
1809
237
9
50 0 0
19,153
3,172
5
5
1810
243
12
50 0 0
22,348
3,195
...
5
5
1811
252
11
50 0 0
25,686
3,338
5
5
1812
260
12
50 0 0
29,638
3,952
...
5
5
1813
280
18
50 0 0
33,309
3,671
...
5
5
1814
288
20
50 0 0
36,981
3,672
5
5
1815
297
23
50 0 0
40,950
3,969
• • .
5
5
1816
310
27
50 0 0
44,878
3,928
**.
5
5
1817
319
28
50 0 0
49,142
4,264
5
5
1818
342
31
f £50, £55, £60 & )
\ 65 0 Of
60,753
11,611
5
5
1819
369
32
|£50,£55, £60&)
( 65 0 Of
65,957
5,204
5
5
1820
388
34
j £50, £55, £60 & 1
\ 65 0 0 f
/ £50, £55, £60 & [
1 65 0 Oj
/ £50, £55, £60 & 1
) 65 0 0 f
/ £50, £55, £60 & 1
t 65 0 0 f
70,792
4,835
5
5
1821
406
36
76,009
5,217
5
5
1822
432
39
81,869
5,860
...
5
5
1823
437
41
88,128
6,259
4J
H
1824
459
44
60 & 70 0 0
94,029
5,901
4^
4
1825
490
48
60&70 0 0
99,006
4,977
4
4
1826
514
52
60 & 70 0 0
104,660
5,654
4
5
1827
525
56
60&70 0 0
111,230
6,570
. • .
5
5
1828
560
58
60 & 70 0 0
117,559
6,329
. .•
5
4i
1829
583
59
60&70 0 0
125,419
7,860
.. .
4J
4
1830
629
59
60 & 70 0 0
132,533
7,114
4
4
1831
635
66
70 0 0
137,387
4,854
3i
3^,4
1832
640
68
70 0 0
144,797
7,410
4
4
1833
646
70
70 0 0
151,878
7,081
...
4
4
1834
666
67
70 0 0
158,712
6,834
4
3J
1835
672
71
70 0 0
164,564
5,852
Z}f
3J
1836
685
70
70 0 0
171,411
6,847
3i
3i
1837
672
73
75 0 0
176,663
5,252
3|
3J
1838
684
80
75 0 0
183,342
6,679
3i
3^
1839
683
81
75 0 0
189,277
5,935
. •
4
4
1840
685
81
75 0 0
195,829
6,552
• • t
3J
3i
1841
680
83
75 0 0
201,647
5,818
...
4
4
1842
668
92
75 0 0
207,568
5,921
. . *
4
4
1843
654
93
75 0 0
213,342
5,774
...
4
4
.52 *« «8
J5 a S b
^ J. 2
STATE showing some particulars as to the progress of the Widows
Fund from Martinmas 1803 to Whitsunday 1890 inclusive — continued.
Rate of Interest
on Heritable Securities.
Year.
Contri-
butors.
Annui-
tants.
Annuity,
Fund.
Increase.
Decrease.
Whit-
sunday.
Martinmas.
1844
648
96
£75 0
0
£217,583
£4,241
4
3|
1845
637
99
78 15
0
221,708
4,125
■ • ■
3i
3|
1846
634
96
78 15
0
226,239
4,531
3|
H
1847
624
101
78 15
0
231,643
5,404
3|
4
1848
620
104
78 15
0
237,924
6,281
4
4
1849
615
109
78 15
0
245,767
7,843
5
5
1850
599
118
78 15
0
250,927
5,160
...
5
^
1851
589
123
78 15
0
254,681
3,754
4
H
1852
580
128
85 0
0
256,838
2,157
, . .
3i
3|
1853
567
125
85 0
0
258,365
1,527
3|
H
1854
557
132
85 0
0
260,136
1,771
3i
H
1855
544
134
85 0
0
263,313
3,177
3|
4
1856
534
136
85 0
0
265,693
2,380
• • *
4
4
1857
532
141
85 0
0
267,812
2,119
4
4
1858
516
147
85 0
0
268,972
1,160
4
4
1859
506
155
85 0
0
269,264
292
4
4
1860
504
155
85 0
0
269,411
147
• . .
4
4
1861
508
157
85 0
0
268,987
• • •
£424
3^
H
1862
498
158
85 0
0
265,644
97
3
4
1863
501
152
85 0
0
266,811
1,167
t . .
4
4
1864
488
149
85 0
0
266,178
• • •
633
4
4
1865
479
150
85 0
0
267,691
1,513
4
4
1866
465
153
90 0
0
268,125
434
...
4
4
1867
449
157
90 0
0
268,775
650
. . ,
4
4, 4J, 41
1868
439
162
90 0
0
268,295
< >•
480
4,4i.5
4,4i
1869
432
169
90 0
0
267,155
1,140
4,4i
4,4i
1870
418
171
90 0
0
266,276
879
4,4:
4,4i
1871
409
168
90 0
0
265,385
...
891
4
4
1872
408
170
90 0
0
263,635
1,744
4
4
1873
409
172
90 0
0
262,238
1,397
4
4
1874
407
173
90 0
0
260,339
...
1,899
4
4
1875
400
172
90 0
0
258,374
• •■
1,965
4
4
1876
400
165
90 0
0
256,895
1,479
4
4
1877
391
165
90 0
0
255,636
1,259
4
4
1878
384
169
90 0
0
253,359
< •.
2,277
4
4
1879
383
169
90 0
0
250,725
2,634
4
4
1880
385
169
90 0
0
249,675
.• •
1,050
4
4
1881
381
174
90 0
0
247,620
2,055
4
H
1882
381
175
90 0
0
244,328
3,292
3J
H
1883
371
172
90 0
0
240,868
• ••
3,460
3
H
1884
368
167
90 0
0
238,071
• ■ •
2,797
3
H
1885
374
163
90 0
0
235,317
...
2,754
3
H
1886
388
161
90 0
0
233,001
...
2,316
3J
H
1887
399
158
80 0
0
231,846
...
1,155
3|
H
1888
409
156
80 0
0
231,607
...
239
3|
3|
1889
419
149
80 0
0
231,909
302
*••
3|
H
1890
441
140
80 0
0
232,783
874
...
3|
H
CHAPTER V.
THE CHAIE OF CONVEYANCING.
The chair of conveyancing in the university of Edinburgh,
which is endowed by the society, was not established until 1825.
Upwards of thirty years before that date, however, the society
had provided for systematic public instruction on the subject by the
appointment of one of its own number as lecturer upon convey-
ancing. It is now proposed to trace the circumstances attending
the foundation of that lectureship, and the steps by which it was
subsequently raised, by the exertions of the society, to the position
of an academic chair.
The subject of conveyancing, as to both theory and practice, The study of
has always been regarded by the society as peculiarly its province ; •=o"^«ya°<='"s-
and, from an early period, although there was no public teaching
of the subject, the members of the body generally looked upon
the instiiiction of their apprentices in conveyancing as not only
their duty but as one of the privileges of the body which ought not
to be committed to others. Evidence of this will be found in the fact
that when, about the middle of last century, one of their number,
Mr. John Mackenzie of Delvine, brought before the society a proposal
for public instruction upon the subject by the foundation of a chair
of conveyancing, it was rejected on the ground that it would inter-
fere with the duty of masters in the teaching of their apprentices
in chambers. Again, in 1773, a similar proposal to have pubHc
instruction on conveyancing was reported against by a committee
to which it had been remitted : The society on considering this
report resolved that it was " the duty of writers to the signet to
instruct their apprentices in the several branches of their busi-
ness, and to use all necessary means by practice, prelection, and
bviii THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
examination, to discharge that duty. That, as the knowledge ot
styles is their proper province, the plan proposed would, in their
apprehension, import an acknowledgment of their incapacity or want
of inclination to do their duty ; and that, as the expense of educating
young gentlemen had of late been greatly augmented, it was matter
for consideration how far it would be proper to subject them to
further expense."
The society as a body was anxious to preserve intact what it
considered both a duty and a privilege, which could not, without
injury, be intrusted to others ; and its individual members en-
deavoured to give a competent knowledge of conveyancing to
those about to enter the society by " practice, prelection, and exami-
nation." But the impression gained ground that the instruc-
tion of the most zealous and able practitioners, delivered to their
apprentices as the avocations of business might permit, was not an
adequate substitute for more systematic teaching. As a result of this,
Mr. Koss' a member of the society, Mr. Walter Ross, in order to afford to
lectures. some extent such instruction, determined to give a private course
of lectures upon " the history and practice of the law of Scotland
relative to conveyancing and legal diligence." Accordingly, during
1783 and 1784, he delivered two short courses of lectures upon the
subject.
Other engagements unfortunately prevented him from again
lecturing, and from going on with the preparation of the complete
course of lectures which he had intended. The pubhcation, however,
after his death, of those he had delivered, shows how eminently
qualified Mr. Ross was for the duty he had undertaken. Even to the
present day the abUity and research exhibited in these lectures
afford the student of conveyancing much valuable information as to
the origin and history of many of our most important deeds.
Mr. Ross had not specially sought the recognition of his prO"
ject by the society, but the success of his lectures was so apparent
as in gi-eat measure to remove the jealousy with which the former
/
motion.
THE CHAIE OF CONVEYANCING cix
proposals for public instruction in conveyancing had been regarded.
Accordingly, when in 1793 one of its members, Mr. Robert Bell,
brought forward a proposal that the society should give its approval
and authority to his going on with a collection of decisions of the
court of session dealing with conveyancing, which he had commenced,
the society not only entertained the proposal as originally made,
but added a scheme of public instruction in conveyancing, which
Mr. Bell had subsequently suggested.
The proposal was brought before a general meeting of the Mr. Macdonaid'a
society by the deputy keeper in May 1793, when a letter from Mr.
Bell on the subject was read. It was then moved by Mr. WiUiam
Macdonald : " That it is the duty of the society to promote the study
of conveyancing, and as it appears necessary for the proper attain-
ment of this object that one of the members should be appointed
to deliver annually a course of lectures on the theory and practice
of conveyancing, and to collect the decisions of the court of session,
and in a particular manner those decisions which more immediately
relate to our own department," the society do " resolve that in future
one of its members shall be elected to fill these offices, and as an
encouragement to the undertaking of this important charge, that
from the period of the commencement of the said course of lectures,
every candidate who applies for admission into the society shall
produce to the examinators a certificate of his having attended
a coux-se of lectures, and that every apprentice shall in future,
during his apprenticeship, attend at least one course. Secondly,
that as Mr. Bell had proposed and bestowed great pains upon this
plan, he should be named by the society to the office."
The society, however, was not prepared to dispose of these
resolutions without further consideration, and it was resolved that
they should lie on the table until next general meeting, and that
Mr. Bell should be requested to prepare and submit to the society,
in the meantime, a plan of his proposed lectures, and of the mode
and period of delivering them.
ex THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
Shortly after this Mr. Bell submitted a general plan of the
course of lectures which he proposed, embracing a wide field of in-
struction, in both the theory and the practice of conveyancing,
with an elaborate introduction explaining the scheme. This having
been printed and distributed amongst the members, the society at
its general meeting, on 27th November 1793, approved of the plan,
Establishment of and resolved "that in future one of the members shall be appointed
society. to deliver annually a course of lectures on the theory and practice
of conveyancing, and to collect the decisions, and appoint Mr. Robert
Bell to fill these offices." It further voted him a sum of £105 for
his past labours in connection with the decisions ; and, a remit
having been made to a committee to consider and report as to
his future salary, it was resolved at a subsequent meeting, on
16th December 1793, that Mr. Bell should receive an annual salary
of sixty guineas as collector of decisions.
It will be seen from this, that the portion of Mr. Macdonald's
original motion which made attendance upon the course of lectures
on conveyancing compulsory was omitted from the resolution of
the society, and further that no salary was attached to the lecture-
ship, the salary given being for the collection of decisions alone.
The fact that an attendance on the course of lectures was not
made compulsory on apprentices arose apparently frojn the feeling
in the minds of some, that, as attendance on the lectures delivered
from the Scots law chair in the university was already obligatory
on all apprentices, it was inexpedient to add another compulsory
class. The omission to attach a salary to the lectureship was due
entirely to the circumstance that Mr. Bell could not lecture for
upwards of a year to come, when it would be time enough to
consider the question of the salary to the lecturer.
Accordingly, though appointed in November 1793, Mr. Bell was
not in a position to begin lecturing until December 1794, when he
delivered a short course which dealt with only a comparatively small
portion of his subject ; and it was not tUl the winter session of
T THE CHAIK OF CONVEYANCING ! i «jxi
1795-96 that he was able to complete and deliver the lectures on the
first part of his course, which embraced the constitution and trans-
mission of heritable rights and kindred subjects. |i
Mr. Bell having found difiiculty in procuring a suitable place
for the delivery of his lectures, the society, on 1st July 1795, gave
him the temporary use of its hall for that purpose during that
year. Where his lectures were subsequently delivered does not
appear, but at the general meeting of the society on 4th February
1811, Mr. Macvey Napier called attention "to the situation of the
class of conveyancing, which he conceived to be degraded, and its
utility impaired, by its exclusion from the society hall, in con-
sequence of which Mr. Bell was obliged to deliver his lectures in a
mason lodge, and moved ' that Mr. Bell be permitted to lecture in
the hall at such hour as the society should deem most convenient.' "
The motion was appointed to be taken into consideration at next
general meeting, on 27th May thereafter, when it was agreed to »-^''-'3''
allow the use of the hall to the lecturer on conveyancing during
the pleasure of the society.
Although Mr. Bell's lectures did not even yet embrace the whole Mr. Beirs lectures.
of the scheme which he had submitted to the society, the utility
of the lectureship, and the ability of the lecturer, had been so clearly
shown, that it was considered due to him to annex a salary to
the office without waiting for the completion of the full course of
lectures originally contemplated. In the meantime, however, it had
become evident that so long as attendance on the courses of lectures
on civil law and Scots law alone was required of apprentices,
the lectureship on conveyancing was placed in an unfair position.
Accordingly, both matters having been brought before a general
meeting of the society, on 30th May 1796 it was resolved: — (1)
"that every candidate for the office of clerk to the signet shall
have attended three courses of law classes, viz., one course of
Scots law, one course of conveyancing, and a third course either of
Scots law, conveyancing, or civil law " ; and (2) " that a salary
exn THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
should be annexed to the office of lecturer on conveyancing."
A remit was made to a committee to report on the amount of
the salary and the source from which it should be raised. This
committee recommended that a salary which was estimated at £40
should be raised by requiring every apprentice on entering into
indenture to pay £1, Is. to the person appointed to receive the
libraiy money, who should account for it to the lecturer. Their
report having been printed and circulated, was approved of by the
society at a general meeting, on 11th July 1796. Mr. Bell there-
fore had now a salary of sixty guineas as collector of decisions
and the produce of the tax of a guinea on every apprentice who
should enter on indenture, besides a fee of £3, 3s. from each student
attending his lectures, being the same fee as was paid to the
professors of Scots law and civil law.
Collector of The appointment of a collector of decisions in connection with
the lectureship was originally made under the idea that the collec-
tion undertaken by Mr. Bell had the approval of the judges of
the court of session. This, however, appears not to have been the
case ; and the society, having learnt that the court did not look
with favour upon the collection, appointed a committee to inquire
into the nature of the objections to it.
Mr. Bell, in the meantime, ex proprio motu, had addressed a
letter to the lord president explaining the grounds of his belief
that he had obtained the sanction of the court to his under-
taking, stating his readiness to give it up so far as he was individually
concerned, and expressing a hope that the lectures on convey-
ancing, in which the society was mainly interested, might receive
the sanction and encouragement of the court. This letter was
communicated by Mr. Bell to the committee of the society to which
it had been remitted to report on the subject. The committee
reported to a general meeting of the society, on 5th December
1796, that, as it had considered Mr. Bell's proposal extremely
proper, a meeting had been sought with the judges, and that
] THE CHAIR OF CONVEYANCING cxiii
"lord president Campbell, who declared the sentiments of the court,
approved highly of the institution of a course of lectures on con-
veyancing, considered it a desideratum in the legal education of
the country, and as in every view an institution which deserved
the protection and patronage of the court. His lordship also
thought that everything should be done to promote the institution
and to place it on a respectable footing, and, with that view, that
it deserved the consideration of the court whether countenance
should not be given to an application for having it made a pro-
fessorship. Lord Eskgrove then proposed that, in order to bring
the matter regularly before the court, a memorial stating the nature
of the institution shovdd be laid before them, and to this the other
judges agreed."
The committee therefore recommended: — " (1) That the collec-
tion of decisions should be given up. (2) That the salary annexed to
the office of collector should be added to the office of lecturer on
conveyancing. (3) That every exertion ought to be made by the
society for placing the office of lecturer on the most respectable ' • ''
footing, and that proper steps should be taken for obtaining a
professor's chair in the university ; and, with that view, that a
memorial in the terms of the memorial hereto annexed should be
signed by the deputy keeper in name of the society, and presented
to the court." '
It is unnecessary to give the terms of the memorial at any Memorial in
length, but it may be stated that it set forth fully the circum- feJsort chair in
stances attending the establishment of the lectureship in conjunction the university,
with the collection of the decisions and the intention of the society
to give up the latter and to endow the office of lecturer, as the sole
object of the institution, with a salary of £100 a year. It further
stated the object of approaching the court in the following terms : —
" The memorialists have formed this resolution upon full delibera-
tion, actuated by no selfish policy, desirous of no preference to their
'■ Jardine's Signet Papers, " Beport of the committee," vol. i. No, 7.
eod* THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
lectureship which it does not deserve ; and, anxious only to point
out to those young men with whose education they are intrusted a
beneficial and useful plan of study, they have cheerfully appropriated
a considerable annual allowance for this new institution."
" It is under the conviction that this is a matter of public utihty
as well as of professional benefit that the memorialists presume to
call your lordships' attention to the subject. They are desirous of
representing it to his majesty's ministers as an object worthy of
encouragement. They cannot, indeed, expect in these times any
pecuniary aid from government; but they are desirous, under
your lordships' sanction, of obtaining for this establishment a
professor's chair in the university of Edinburgh, and they flatter
themselves that this proposal may appear in such a light to your
lordships as to enable you to give it the weight of your approbation."
Of The report, with the accompanying memorial, having been ap-
proved of by the society, the memorial was forthwith presented to
the court. The court, however, notwithstanding its public appro-
objections to bation of the lectureship already specified, was not prepared to re-
commend the appHcation as an object worthy of encouragement before
ascertaining the opinion of the faculty of advocates, and directed it to
be communicated to them for their consideration. The faculty remitted
it to the dean and council, with instructions to consider and report as to
the expediency of the proposed establishment of a professorship of con-
veyancing, and they shortly afterwards reported that, in their opinion,
the proposal was liable to many strong and solid objections which
they thought ought to determine the faculty to oppose its being
carried into execution. Their main objections were the impossibility
of detaching those doctrines which relate to the forms, styles, and
contents of deeds from the general science of Scots law ; the injury
to the public that would arise from the separation of " the more liberal
and scientific parts of the law from the subordinate and practical
parts," and the injury the creation of a rival professorship of Scots law
in the university would have on " the interest and just emoluments
the chair.
;•, THE CHAIE OF CONVEYANCING cxv
of the present endowments of which the faculty of advocates are
the patrons, thereby preventing the discharge of its duties from
being a primary object to men of talents and liberal edvication."
For these and other reasons the dean and council recommended
that the faculty should express its disapprobation of the plan, and
take such measui'es as might seem expedient for preventing its being
carried into execution. This report, having been approved of by
the faculty, was presented to the court, which resolved to take no
action in the matter ; and the society, apparently thinking it useless
to press the proposal in the face of such determined opposition,
for thirty years took no further steps towards raising the lectureship
to the position of an academic chair.
It was not until the autumn of 1797 that Mr. Bell was able
to lecture upon the second part of his subject, which then embraced
the full plan of lectures originally proposed. This he then divided
into two courses dehvered in separate sessions. The first, extending
to fifty lectures, was devoted to deeds in general and the con-
stitution and transmission of heritable rights and real diligence,
forming the subject of one course, and the other, extending to
thirty lectures, was devoted to moveable rights and personal
diligence. A fee of £2, 2s. was required from each student for the
first course, and £1, Is. for the second, attendance upon both
courses being required in order to entitle students to a certificate.
The arrangement by which £40 of the salary attached to the salary attached
lectureship was dependent on the £1, Is. tax imposed on all ap- t^ti^e lecture
prentices on entering into indenture, had not proved satisfactory.
Accordingly, when in 1802 the society had it in contemplation
to raise the apprentice fee so as to increase the general funds,
Mx. Bell took occasion to address a letter to the deputy keeper,
in which he stated that, during the five years which had elapsed
since the tax in question had been imposed, it had yielded on
an average an annual sum of only £29 instead of £40 which it
had been intended to produce, and that any increase to the general
e**i THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
apprentice fee would probably stiU further reduce that amount, by
lessening the number of those entering on indenture. He therefore
suggested that a small addition might be made to the tax of £1, Is.
in order to carry out the intentions of the society in imposing it.
Mr. Bell's letter was brought before a general meeting of the
society on 28th June 1802. Some dissatisfaction having then been ex-
pressed because of his having divided his lectures into two separate
courses, thereby causing expense and inconvenience to the students,
the whole matter was remitted to a committee for consideration.
Mr. BeU thereupon submitted a memorial explaining his reasons
for the division, and stating that although it had caused no additional
expense to the students, he would give it up and would in future
comprise his whole subject in one course of lectures. Regarding
the increase of salary, he stated that his whole emoluments from
the lectureship during the preceding five years had amounted on
an average to only £140 per annum.
The committee having considered Mr. Bell's memorial, reported
that it was satisfied that no additional expense had been thrown
on apprentices by the division of the course of lectures. It, however,
approved of his proposal to have only one course for the future, and
in regard to increase of salary further recommended that a small
addition should be given in order to make up the Bvaa. originally
intended.^ The report, having been printed and circulated, was
brought before a general meeting of the society on 29th November
1802, when it was approved of so far as regarded Mr. Bell's intention
to discontinue the division of the course, but disapproved in so far
as it recommended an addition to the salary of the lecturer.
Mr. Bell does not appear to have been discouraged by either
the smallness of the emoluments which he had hitherto derived
from the lectureship, or the failure to have his salary placed
upon a more satisfactory footing. He continued to discharge the
duties of lecturing to a gradually increasing nixmber of students
' Jardine's Sigiiet Papers, vol. i.
THE CHAIE OF CONVEYANCING cxvii
with great ability and success, until his death in 1816. The credit
is due to him of having originally suggested the lectureship, and
while the wisdom and public spirit of the society in adopting and
giving practical effect to his suggestions by founding and endowing
it must be acknowledged, it cannot be doubted that it is to his
ability and zeal in discharging his duties through many discourage-
ments that we owe the success of the foundation. In addition, Mr. Bell's
however, to giving much of his time to the discharge of these P"ti'°at.ons.
duties, Mr. Bell was also able to devote himself to literary work.
During the earlier period of his lectureship, he prepared for the press
and published his lectures on the testing clause, and treatises on
deeds, on completing titles, and on leases, all of them useful works,
though now out of date. His Dictionary of the Laiv of Scotland, to
which he owes his character as an eminent legal author, was pub-
lished in 1807, and, from its learning and research, was very soon
accepted as a standard authority on the subject. Unfortunately he did
not live long enough to know how highly this work was appreciated
by the profession at large, but the numerous editions of it which have
been called for since his death, bringing down the law without material
alteration to their several dates of publication, show how good was the
original conception of the book, and how excellent was its execution.
The office of lecturer having become vacant by the death of Mr.
Bell, the society availed itself of the offer of his brother, Mr. George
Joseph Bell, who afterwards worthily filled the chair of Scots law
in the university, to read the late professor's lectures until such
time as a successor should be appointed. In December 1816, the Appointment of
society, from several candidates who sought the office, elected to the Napicr^as*^
vacant lectureship, Mr. Macvey Napier, then librarian to the society, lecturer.
Although the society, on the faikire of its application in 1796
to have the lectureship raised to the position of a chair in the
university, had resolved rather to await the effects of time and
experience than to urge its wishes in face of the powerful opposi-
tion which had been manifested, and though for many years no
cxviii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
further active steps were taken for attaining the object desired, it
Renewed pro- was never lost sight of. The matter was again brought before the
posals for a . i i •
professor's chair, societj by the deputy keeper at the general meeting on 21st
November 1821, when a committee was appointed to resume con-
sideration " of the propriety of applying for a professor's chau' in
the university of Edinburgh for the course of lectures instituted
by the society, and to adopt such measures as might seem to them
most prudent in the view of promoting the success of that object,
thereby increasing the respectability of an institution the usefulness
of which had been demonstrated by ample experience."
The committee so appointed, with the valuable aid of Mr.
Thomas Thomson, advocate, proceeded to prepare a statement set-
ting forth at considerable length the causes which had induced the
society to found the lectureship, and the reasons for wishing to
see the usefulness and respectability of the institution increased
by having a professor's chair attached to it. Fi-om unavoidable
causes this statement was not completed until Febx-uary 1823, when
the committee devolved upon two of its number, the deputy
keeper and sir Robert Dundas, the duty of bringing it before the
heads and judges of the court and the dean and faculty of
advocates, with the view of ascertaining their sentiments, as well
as before the lord provost and town council and the principal of
the university. i mu ^h»j.
The sub- committee so appomted having had the statement
printed and presented to the court and to the faculty of advocates,'
the lord president, after consultation Avith the judges, informed it
that the matter was one on wliich they did not consider that the
court was called upon to express an opinion.
t. The faculty of advocates, on the matter being brought befoi-e
them, remitted it to the dean and council for consideration and
report. They, however, could not agree upon the terms of that report ;
and tlie faculty accordingly adjourned consideration of the iaa|iter
< . :M il)^yia.rtl'mA'a Sionet Paper*, vol iii. .^'id bi, ■.■ acij
T:I/ the CHAIE of conveyancing cxix
until such time as their former report on the subject should be re-
printed and circulated among the members. The sub-committee
of the society being of opinion that the old objections stated to
the professorship by the faculty in 1796, which it was thus
proposed to reprint and circulate, could be satisfactorily answered
from the experience of the benefits conferred by the lectureship
during the period which had since elapsed, prepared "observations"
on the faculty's report of 1796.^ These they printed and circulated.
The subject having been again brought before a full meeting of
the faculty on 8 th July 1823, a motion approving of the raising
of the lectureship to a chair of conveyancing was defeated by only
fifty-five votes to fifty-one, whereupon thirty-three of the minority,
including many of the most eminent members of the bar, and
amongst them Mr. George Joseph Bell, the distinguished professor
of Scots law, lodged a formal dissent setting forth reasons against
the resolution which had been carried.^
The committee reported to the society, at the general meeting
on 12th July 1823, the result of the application to the faculty
of advocates, with an expression of opinion that the vote of the
faculty did not appear by any means calculated to damp the society's
expectation of success in the object which it desired. The meeting
approved of what had been done, and re-committed the matter, with
a recommendation to the committee " to take all such measures
as they should deem most expedient for attaining the object of
obtaining a professor's chair in the university for the lecturer on
conveyancing and his successors, and to enter into such transactions
and agreements with the patrons of the university as they might
consider fit and expedient in order to prevent disappointment of
the pretensions which had been, by a narrow majority in the faculty
of advocates, so unreasonably resisted and opposed."
The committee having thereupon determined at once to Letter to the
approach the lord provost, magistrates, and council of the city, '°^°°"'"'''-
' Jardine's Signet Papers, vol. iii. - Jhid. vol. iii.
lord provost.
cxx THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
patrons of the university, on the subject, addressed a letter to
them on 17th July 1823, setting forth succinctly the whole circum-
stances of the case, praying them, in virtue of their prerogative as
patrons, to establish a chair of conveyancing in the university, and
engaging to provide for it a perpetual endowment of at least one
hundred guineas. The letter further suggested that Mr. Macvey
Napier, who then held the office of lecturer, should be appointed the
first professor, and that the mode of filling up vacancies thereafter
should be determined by a conference between the committee and
a committee of the town covmcU.
Opposition of tue A printed copy of this letter, along with copies of the various
statements and proceedings which were referred to in it, was laid
before the town council, and the committee shortly afterwards had
an interview on the subject with sir William Arbuthnot, who was
then lord provost. He received them with "polite attention"; but
at the next meeting of the councU, on his motion, without reasons
given, or any discussion whatever, the application of the society was
refused.
The committee, deeming it useless to combat the hostility of
the lord provost, thought it prudent to take no further steps in
the meantime, but to await the time when there was reason to hope
that a change in the magistracy might lead to a difierent result.
Accordingly, when, in the following year, the civic chair came
to be fiUed by Mr. Alexander Henderson, the committee solicited
a conference with the lord provost and magistrates, and it had an
opportunity in the autumn of 1824 of laying its views before them,
with the best result; for his lordship, on 24th November 1824,
brought the matter before a meeting of the town council, and spoke
strongly in favour of the proposed chair. In consequence, however,
of the strenuous opposition of one of the councillors it became
necessary to postpone the decision until a subsequent meeting.
The serious iUness of the lord provost prevented his being present
at the next meeting of the town council, on 1st December 1824,
THE CHAIR OF CONVEYANCING cxxi
but the views which he had so strongly urged at the previous
meeting were adopted by the great majority of the council ; and,
on a division, the proposal to establish a chair of conveyancing in
the university, of which Mr. Macvey Napier should be the first Establishment
professor, was carried by a majority of twenty-five to four. At a ° ^ c air,
subsequent meeting, after some discussion, a proposal of the com-
mittee that future vacancies should be filled by five delegates, two
of them to be chosen from the town council, and two from the
society of writers to the signet, together with the deputy keeper,
was carried by a majority.
The committee reported the favourable result of their labours
to a general meeting of the society, held on 25th January 1825,
when the cordial thanks of the writers to the signet were unani-
mously voted to lord provost Henderson and the magistrates and
council for the establishment of the chair. The deputy keeper also
conveyed to Mr. Napier the congratulations of the society on his Mr. Napier
appointment, expressing, at the same time, " their confident expec- profeTsor
tation and belief that he will, with unabated zeal and energy, exert
his best abilities for the purpose of establishing the legal character
of the science which he is appointed to teach, and that he will
accomplish this in such a manner that the name of the first professor
of conveyancing will be transmitted to posterity with a celebrity
which cannot fail to communicate its influence to his successors,
and to the society of which he is a member."
The exertions of the society in thus getting the lectureship on
conveyancing raised to the dignity of a university chair were re-
warded by a very considerable increase in the number of students
who availed themselves of the lectures, and professor Napier
continued to discharge the duties of the chair with great ability and
success until his death, in his seventy-first year, in February 1847.
In the long period of thirty-one years during which he filled the
oflBces, first of lecturer and subsequently of professor, although much
engaged in literary pursuits, he never allowed these to interfere in
Mr. Menzies
cxxii THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
any way with his academic duties, but fully justified the expecta-
tions and belief expressed by the society in their congratulations
on his appointment to the professorship.
Mr. Allan Menzies, W.S., who was appointed to the vacant
appointed to chair of conveyaucing on the death of Mr. Napier, had early given
evidence of literary tastes. While a student of law in the university ■
he had been one of the competitors for the prize of £100 given
by the university commission of 1826 for the best essay on "the
national character of the Athenians." Mr. John Brown Patterson,
then certainly the most eminent student of the University, carried
off the prize, but the essay of Mr. Menzies showed such great ability
as to cause the senatus to confer upon him the very unusual distinc-
tion of the degree of " M. A. honoris causa."
Shortly after he had become a member of the society, the.
commissioners of the signet, under whose charge a fund of £120,000.
had been left by Mr. James Dick, a London merchant, for the purpose,
of assisting schoolmasters and promoting education in the counties
of Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray,^ appointed Mr. Menzies their clerk
in the management of the bequest, an office which practically laid
upon him the duty of organising the system upon which this large
fund was to be administered.
Mr. Menzies entered upon the discharge of his difficult duties
with great zeal and energy. For a period of years he on frequent
occasions personally superintended the examinations in many of
the schools in these counties ; he advised with the teachers in
regard to the state of their schools and their methods of teaching ;
he regularly reported to the commissioners, advising with them as
to the progress and result of the work ; and through his untir-
ing efforts the scheme gradually became developed into a great,
system which has been the means of raising education in these
counties to a very high standard. .,-;-hffB to n? ' art Till
Although the office of clerk to the Dick bequest necessarily:
THE CHAIE OF CONVEYANCING cxxiii
occupied a considerable portion of his time, Mr. Menzies had given
much attention to the duties of his profession, and more especi-
ally to conveyancing. Accordingly, when the conveyancing chair
became vacant, on professor Napier's death in 1847, he offered
himself as a candidate for the oflfice ; and although he had as a
competitor Mr. Alexander Duff, the able author of a treatise on
Feudal Conveyancing and other legal works, the society by a large
majority elected Mr. Menzies to the vacant chair.
He showed as professor the same untiring zeal and energy in
the discharge of his new duties as he had done in the management
of the Dick bequest. ^ii jsm •:^:iimoo .JfiiiJ jJj^i' i!.i
J, Mr. Bell and professor Napier had been in the practice of test-
ing the progress of their students principally by oral examinations.
Professor Menzies, owmg to deafness, finding himself unable to pur-
sue the same method in a satisfactory manner, at once substituted
for it the plan of frequent written examinations in the class-room,
without the aid of book or notes, a system which, though entailing
on the professor a largely increased amount of work, proved a more
efficient test of progress than oral examinations, and has been
followed by his successors in the chair.
His constitution, which was never robust, unfortunately broke
down imder the strain of his multifarious duties, and after filling the
chair for a period of nine years, with an ability and success certainly
not inferior to that of his distinguished predecessor, he died in
February 1856, at the early age of fifty-two. His Lectures on
Conveyancing, which were published a short time after his death,
were highly appreciated by the profession, and have reached a third
edition. Though they do not bring down the law to so late a date
as those of his successor, to be afterwards noticed, they will always
remain distinguished by their lucidity of expression and elegance of
composition, while at the same time they testify to the thorough
knowledge which the author possessed of both the theory and the
practice of conveyancing. ^^ ^ ..^ _l
cxxiv THE SOCIETY OP WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Election of Mr. On the death of professor Menzies in 1856, Mr. Alexander
^ontgomerie Montgomerie Bell, W.S., offered himself as a candidate for the
vacant chair. Having been apprentice to Mr. John Dundas, W.S.,
in whose finn he afterwards became a partner, he had early devoted
himself to the study of conveyancing, and from the ample opportuni-
ties he had for applying his knowledge to practice, he soon became
an accomplished conveyancer. So much indeed was this acknowledged
by the profession at large that, when he became a candidate for
the chair of conveyancing, no one else came forward as a competitor
for it, and he was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. It might
have been thought that, coming as he did after so eminent a pre-
decessor as professor Menzies, his task would be a difficult one ; but
from the first his lectures showed his thorough practical knowledge of
his subject, and his power of imparting that knowledge to his students.
Unfortunately, like his predecessor, his constitution could not stand
the strain which the additional work of the chair laid upon him,
and after lecturing with great ability and success for nearly ten
sessions, he died in Januaiy 1866, at the early age of fifty-four.
His lectures, which at his own request were published shortly
afterwards, though perhaps not marked by the elegance of com-
position which distinguished those of professor Menzies, were much
appreciated for their exhaustive and eminently practical character
not only by students of conveyancing, but by the profession at
large. Some years ago they reached a third edition, which brought
down the law to the date of publication.
Election of Mr. On professor Montgomerie BeU's death in 1866, Mr. James S.
Fraser Tytler, W.S., was elected to fill the vacant chair, which he
still holds.
Success of the The success of the chair of conveyancing, of which the history
ch^ of convey- j^^ ^^ixiQ been traced, is clearly shown by the increased number of
students who take advantage of it. Although, from the first
establishment of the lectureship in 1795, attendance on the lectures
was compulsory on all who sought admission to the society, its
James S. Fraser
Tytler.
IRE CHAIR OF CONVEYANCING cxxv
records give no information as to the number of those students who
did not come under this categoiy. There is Httle doubt, however,
that the raising of the lectureship to the position of a university
chair greatly extended its sphere of usefulness. This is shown by
the society of solicitors in the supreme courts having likewise in
1851 required attendance on the lectures on conveyancing from all
intending inti-ants to that body. The faculty of advocates also
subsequently added the course on conveyancing to the curriculum
of legal study for all future members of the bar ; and the society
of chartered accountants afterwards took a similar step in regard
to entrance to that body.
The university records do not give any information as to the
number of students attending the individual chairs until 1859. It
has been impossible therefore to ascertain the extent of the attendance
while professor Napier held the chair, though there is no doubt that
it had increased greatly from that durmg the lectureship. During
Mr. Menzies' tenure of the professorship (1846-1856), the number of
students varied from 99 his smallest number in 1851-52, to 114
his largest in 1855-56. In the latter years of professor Mont-
gomerie Bell's tenure of the chair the average number was 120.
The number of students after 1866 gradually increased until 1874,
after which it rapidly rose in consequence of the operation of the
Law Agents Act of 1873 and the relative act of sederunt re-
quiring attendance of university courses of lectures on Scots law
and conveyancing from all future applicants for admission to the
body of law agents. Although it is satisfactory to note this pubhc
recognition by the supreme court of the value of the lectures de-
livered from both of these chairs, it is still more so to add that
the value of the lectures is fully recognised by the students them-
selves. The covui; in 1886, on finding that it had exceeded its
powers in requiring, under the act of sederunt of 1873, a particular
curriculum of legal study, passed another act making attendance on
these lectures no longer necessary for future intrants to the body of
cxxvi THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
law agents. This apparently has had little effect in diminishing
the number of students ; for whUe the average number in the con-
veyancing class during the last three years in which attendance
was compulsory (1885-1887) was 202, during the three years which
have since elapsed, when attendance was not compulsory, it has been
195. These figures, it is thought, are sufficient to show that the
founding and endowment of the chair of conveyancing by the society
was a wise step, and that it has been duly appreciated by the
legal profession in Scotland.
THE TYMMER BOX
See p. Ixxxviii
i'
LIST OF WRITERS TO H.M. SIGNET
1594-1890.
Date of Admission.
ABEECROMBY, ALEXANDER. 10th July 1770.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Son of Alexander Abercromby, Merchant in Norway.
Died 9th April 1804.
ACHESON, ANDREW. 9th July 1680.
Apprentice to John Kennedy. — Died 25th February 1702, aged 54. Mar. Louisa
Borthwick.
ADAIR, CHARLES MURDOCH. 28th March 1819.
Apprentice to John Campbell and Andrew Clason. — Son of Dr. James M'Kettrick
Adair, Physician in Harrogate. Died 23d March 1823.
ADAIR, THOMAS, of Little Genoch. 3d July 1778.
Apprentice to Cornelius Elliot. — Eldest son of Mr. Andrew Adair, of Little
Genoch, Minister of Whithorn. Died 22d November 1820. Mar. (1) Jane,
daughter of the Rev. Andrew Ross of Balsarroch, Wigtownshire ; and (2) 29th
September 1783, Agnes, daughter of John Jameson, Merchant, Leith.
ADAM, ALEXANDER FORSYTH. 11th March 1847.
Apprentice to George Maclachlan and William Ivory. — Son of James Adam,
S.S.C. Bom 24th July 1822. Died 24th December 1881, unmarried.
ADAM, ARTHUR. 25th May 1883.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, W. R. and John Kermack. — Son of Stephen
Adam, Wool-broker in Leith. Bom 30th April 1860.
ADAM, GEORGE SEYMOUR. 29th June 1871.
Apprentice to Robert Blair Maconochie. — Son of Patrick Adam, S.S.C. Bom
26th May 1846. Died 13th May 1875, unmarried.
ADAM, JAMES. 2l8t December 1820.
Apprentice to James Drummond of Comrie. — Son of Hamilton Adam of Kerse-
liead, Ayrshire. Died 3d December 1849, aged 79. 3far. 10th August 1807,
Janet, eldest daughter of John Shedden of Morrishill, Ayrshire.
A
2 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
ADIE, CAMPBELL. 12th March 1788.
Apprentice to William Campbell of Crawfordton. — Second son of Rev. George
Adie, Minister of Camock. Bmti 1762. Died 29th January 1807. Mar. 1st
May 1800, his cousin, Penelope, daughter of William Campbell of Queenshill,
Kirkcudbrightshire. Circuit Clerk of Justiciary,
ADIE, GEORGE, of Whitehouse. 13th June 1702.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Died January 1748. Mar. December 1706,
Agnes, daughter of John Menzies of Cammo and Whitehouse, Advocate.
AIKENHEAD, ALEXANDER. 22d March 1630.
Apprentice to Andrew Hay.
AIKENHEAD, ALEXANDER. 26th January 1671.
Apprentice to James Chrystie. — Son of David Aikenhead, Writer in Edinburgh.
Fiscal, 1678-83. Died 4th September 1705, aged 62.
AIKMAN, ANDREW. 26th July 1655.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Re-admitted, 14th November 1661. Died
January 1691.
AIKMAN, THOMAS, of Brimbleton. 18th December 1685.
Apprentice to NicoU Hardy. — Second son of John Aikman of Caimie. Mar.
(1) Isabel, daughter of Richard Lermont of Whitelawhouse ; and (2) Margaret,
daughter of James Winram of Libberton.
AINSLIE, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
AINSLIE, ROBERT, of Edingham. 9th July 1789.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Eldest son of Robert Ainslie of Darnchester,
Berwickshire. Born 13th January 1766. Died 11th April 1838. Mar. (1) 3d
January 1799, Jane, daughter of Colonel James Cunningham, of the Dutch
Service; (2) 18th October 1837, Isabella, eldest daughter of Rev. Robert Munro,
of Ullapool. Author of A Father's Gift to his Children, and other works.
AINSLIE, ROBERT. 18th June 1829.
Apprentice to George Combe. — Eldest son of Archibald Ainslie, Tenant in
Peaston, Mid-Lothian. Bwn 1806. Died 11th December 1858, unmarried.
AITCHISON, WILLIAM KER 15th November 1832.
Apprentice to Henry Gordon Dickson. — Son of William Aitchison, Brewer at
Kerfield. Born 10th March 1807. Died 26th February 1854. Mar. 12th July
1830, Jane, daughter of William Murray, Merchant, Edinburgh.
ALEXANDER, JOHN. 2d May 1634.
Apprentice to Hew Rose.
LIST OF MEMBERS $
ALEXANDER, JOHN. ----- 16th June 1655. '
Apprentice to James Tinto. — Re-admitted 11th April 1661. Died 1683.
ALEXANDER, JOHN. 20th November 1662.
Apprentice to Robert Alexander and John Bayne. — Died November 1711.
ALEXANDER, ROBERT.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Keeper of the Signet, 26th December
1627. Died about 1630.
ALEXANDER, ROBERT. 2d April 1638.
Apprentice to John Mudie. — Son of John Alexander, Merchant Burgess of
Aberdeen. Died 1667. Mar. (1) Jean Cargill; and (2) Janet Anderson. — Re-
admitted 21st November 1660.
ALEXANDER, ROBERT, of Blackhouse. 30th June 1707.
Apprentice to Ronald Campbell. — Son of Mr. James Alexander of Blackhouse,
Minister of Kilmalcolm. Died 23d May 1723. Mar. (1) Sophia, daughter of
John Blair of Innerwick; (2) 8th January 1716, Margaret, daughter of Robert
Alexander, Advocate. Principal Clerk of Session, 14th December 1715 till death.
ALEXANDER, WILLIAM. 30th November 1819.
Apprentice to John Archibald Campbell. — Son of Forrest Alexander, Merchant
in Edinburgh. Born 1798. Died 21st December 1859. Mar. 18th October
1833, Jessie Mercer, eldest daughter of Alexander Gordon. Commissary Clerk
of Edinburgh, 1850-60. Author of Digest of tlie Bankmptmj Act.
ALISON, JOHN. 23d November 1813.
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Eldest son of Colin Alison, Writer in Montrose.
Died 14th March 1836, aged 45, unmarried.
ALISON, JOHN. 25th June 1829.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair. — Son of John Alison, residing in Dundee.
Died 19th February 1850, aged 62, unmarried.
ALISONE, ALEXANDER, of Birkhill. 15th June 1698.
Apprentice to John Strachan. — Son of Alexander Alisone of Birkhill, Fifeshire.
Died September 1728.
ALISONE, ALEXANDER. 10th March 1719.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Alisone, W.S. — Died 1st January 1728.
Mar. Grizel, daughter of Thomas Wemyss, Advocate.
ALLAN, ALEXANDER. 15th January 1819.
Apprentice to George Robertson. — Third son of William Allan, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Died 1st February 1871, aged 76. Mar.
ALLANE, JAMES. 20th June 1649.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Died January 1693. Mar. Isobel Heriot.
Treasurer, 1659-62. Re-admitted 2l8t November 1660.
* THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
ALLARDICE, WILLIAM PATRICK. 28th January 1836.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie Lindsay. — Son of Captain William Allardice of
,,,;,; Murlingden. Bm-n 8th October 1807. Died 12th August 1876. Mar. (1) 25th
March 1834, Anna Maria, daughter of Captain John Macdiarmid; and (2) 12th
September 1854, Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Colquhoun, Glasgow.
.A
ALLEN, CHARLES EDWARD. 24th June 1835.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Son of John Lee Allen of Errol Park
^or» 16th November 1810. Dt'ecZ at Montreal 4th July 1885, unmarried. \^
ALLESTER, DAVID. 28th June 1827.
Apprentice to Thomas Bums. — Son of William Allester, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born 1802. Died 29th October 1851. Mar. 9th August 1838, Agnes, eldest
daughter of Robert Paul, W.S.
ALSTON, GAVIN. 17th November 1815.
Apprentice to John Granger. — Son of John Alston, in Bothwellhaugh, Parish of
Bothwell. Died 16th May 1820. Mar. 20th August 1817, Jane, only daughter
of Captain Thomson, R.N.
lA
ALSTON, WILLIAM. 18th January 1749.
Apprentice to Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan. — Died 5th April 1775. Mar.
Janet Clark. Deputy Auditor of Exchequer.
ALVES, ANDREW. 25th September 1722.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Alves, W.S. — Died 23d January 1760. '•''
ALVES, WILLIAM. 28th June 1700.
Apprentice to William Russell. — Died 7th September 1722. Mar. Ann Hamilton.
Under Keeper of the Signet, 9th November 1709. Joint Deputy-Keeper, 1710-1 1.
"" Commissary of Dumfries. M.P. for Sanquhar, 1702-7.
ANDERSON, DAVID.
Commissioner, 26th December 1627. — Died about 1635.
ANDERSON, DAVID. 18th August 1731.
Apprentice to William Veitch. — Only son of Andrew Anderson, Writer in Edin-
burgL Barn 1707. Died 11th January 1786. Mar. 5th November 1745, Mary,
daughter of John Mitchelson of Middletou, Mid-Lothian.
ANDERSON, DAVID BROWN. 11th July 1867.
Apprentice to Mackenzie, Innes, and Logan. — Second son of William Anderson
of Hallyards, Peeblesshire, Merchant in Leith. Born 22d March 1842.
ANDERSON, FRANCIS. 6th December 1773. . /
Apprentice to, and son of, David Anderson, W.S. — Died 27th April 1823, aged
76. Mar. (1) Miss Martin, and (2) Jane Easton. Deputy Auditor of Exchequer.
LIST OF MEMBERS 4ft
ANDERSON, FRxVNCIS. ' 1st July 1837, '
Apprentice to Tliomas Cranston. — Fifth son of John Anderson of Inchyra,
Perthshire. Bom 19th August 1804. Dkd 18th December 1855. Mar. 24th
October 1848, Henrietta Maria, daughter of Rev. Edward Law, D.D., British
Chaplain at St. Petersburg.
ANDERSON, HUGH HODGSON. 14th January 1890.
Apprentice to Alexander Paterson Purves. — Younger son of James Anderson,
Banker, Leith. Bom 24th January 1867.
ANDERSON, J.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
ANDERSON, JAMES. 6th June 1691.
Apprentice to Robert Richardson. — Son of the Rev. Patrick Anderson, Minister
at Welstoune. B<mi 5th August 1662. Died 2d April 1728. Mar. daughter of
John Ellis of Elliston, Advocate. Author of Dlplomata Scot'm, and other works.
Fiscal, 5th December 1698. Postmaster-General for Scotland from June 1715 to
29th November 1717.
ANDERSON, JOHN. 19th May 1629.
Son of David Anderson, W.S.
ANDERSON, JOHN, of Inchyra. 12th July 1779.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Third son of David Andei-son, W.S. Bmii
4th August 1754. Dud 18th June 1814. Mar. 10th August 1784, Janet,
daughter of Samuel Mitchelson.
ANDERSON, JOHN. 24th May 1821.
Apprentice to James Carnegy. — Third son of Peter Anderson, Writer in
Inverness. Born 1797. Died 13th November 1839. Mar. 22d April 1823,
Elizabeth, only daughter of Alexander Mackenzie of Woodside.
ANDERSON, JOHN. 27th May 1824.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Fourth son of John Anderson, W.S. Born
15th June 1799. Died 4th May 1862. Mar. 15th October 1833, Harriet, second
daughter of George Carr, of Newcastle.
ANDERSON, JOHN RAMSAY. 21st October 1874.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Son of Francis Anderson, W.S. Born 25th
May 1851. Mar. 5th January 1875, Elizabeth Moore, only child of Admiral
John Hay, of the Seggieden family.
ANDERSON, PATRICK. 2d December 1779.
Apprentice to Walter Scott. — Second son of James Anderson of Kingask and
Newbigging, Advocate. Diec^ 24th December 1809, aged 54. Mar. 14th Septem-
ber 1786, Susan, daughter of Rev. Gilbert Hamilton, D.D., Minister of Craraond.
6 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
ANDERSON, PETER. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Youngest son of Adam Anderson, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Bmn 1803. Died 23d November 1855. Mar. (1) 14th October
1834, Frances, daughter of Campbell Gardner, Edinburgh; (2) 2d December
1850, Agnes, youngest daughter of John Anderson, Henderland.
ANDERSON, ROBERT SMITH. 16th November 1831.
Apprentice to (1) Hugh Rollo ; (2) Robert W. Niven ; and (3) Anthony Murray.
— Son of Donald Anderson, Macer to the Court of Justiciary. Born 23d May
1809. Died January 1868. Mar. 2d January 1839, Margaret Kelly, eldest
daughter of James M'Farlane of Balwill, Stirlingshire.
ANDERSON, ROBERT TROTTER. 29th October 1888.
Apprentice to Graham C. Somervell.— Son of Thomas Anderson, Merchant,
Edinburgh. Born 25th September 1864.
ANDERSON, ROBERT YOUNG. 13th November 1816.
Apprentice to William Inglis.— Eldest son of Robert Anderson, sometime
Merchant in the island of Antigua, and afterwards in Edinburgh. Died 15th
November 1851, aged 59, unmarried.
ANDERSON, SAMUEL. 12th June 1818.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Anderson, W.S. — Bom 1791. Di^ 11th
July 1849. Mar. (1) 30th August 1824, Anne, eldest daughter of James Milnes,
Heatherwick House, East-Lothian; and (2) 15th May 1833, Charlotte Wilkinson.
ANDERSON, THOMAS SCOTT. 24th June 1830.
Apprentice to John Tweedie.— Son of Archibald Anderson, Merchant in Edin-
burgh. Bm-n 1808. Died 14th September 1884. Mar. 15th July 1834, Hannah,
daughter of James Lowthorp of Welton Hall, Yorkshire.
ANDERSON, WILLIAM. 24th June 1774.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Son of Andrew Anderson of Rashiegrain.
Died 28th October 1785. Mar. 21st March 1775, Jenny, daughter of George
Clerk Maxwell of DuncriefT, Dumfriesshire.
ANDERSON, WILLIAM. 28th November 1791.
Apprentice to William Dick. — Son of James Anderson, Merchant in Glasgow.
Died 20th October 1796.
ANDRO, JOHN.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594.
LIST OF MEMBERS T
ANSTEUTHEE, JAMES, of Treesbank. 22d June 1826.
Apprentice to John Kerr.— Son of Colonel Robert Anstruther of the Royal Tay
Fencibles. Bm-n 16th September 1803. Died 19th May 1867. Mar. (1) 27th
March 1828, Marion, daughter of Sir John Anstruther, Chief-Justice of Bengal ;
(2) 11th October 1866, Anabella Agnes, eldest daughter of Thomas Anderson of
Glendrissaig, Ayrshire, Advocate.
ANTHONE, PATRICK. 12th February 1701.
Apprentice to James Camegy. — Died before 1708.
ARBUTHNOT, PETER. 13th November 1678.
Apprentice to Henry Graham. — Brother of Alexander Arbuthnot, Merchant, and
one of the Bailies of Dundee. Died 6th March 1704, aged 52.
ARCHIBALD, HUGH, of Dankeith. 13th January 1681.
Apprentice to Archibald Nisbet. — Jlfar. Margaret Campbell. Di^ before 1705.
ARMOUR, JAMES. 2d December 1723.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Lines; and (2) Andrew Haliburton. — Died 23d August
1756. Mar. (1) Isobel Couter; and (2) June 1736, Euphemia, daughter of
John Deans of Woodhouselee, Mid-Lothian.
ARNOTT, JAMES, of Leithfield. 21st November 1815.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Annfield. — Son of James Ariiott, Farmer in
Arbikie, Forfarshire. Bom 1791. Died 21st December 1866. Mar. 31st October
1835, Emily Sophia, fourth daughter of Edward Fletcher of Corsock.
ARNOTT, JOHN. 20th December 1821.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Died 5th April 1864, aged 70, unmarried.
ARNOTT, JOHN WALICER. 25th June 1829.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean.— Son of David Walker Arnott, of Arlary, Kinross-
shire. Born 21st August 1806. Died 23d March 1850, unmarried.
ARNOTT, THOMAS, of Chapel. 23d June 1817.
Apprentice to John Ferrier. — Eldest son of Robert Arnott of Chapel, Fifeshire.
Died 27th March 1865, aged 73. Mar. 13th November 1838, Jane Arnot,
youngest daughter of the Rev. Andrew Grant, D.D., one of the Ministers of St.
Andrew's Church, Edinburgh.
ASHER, AUGUSTUS GORDON GRANT 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to Charles Morton and John Neilson. — Only son of John Gordon
Asher, M.D., Surgeon-Major in Bengal Staff Corps. Bm-n 18th December 1861.
AUCHTERLONY, JOHN. 27th January 1699.
Apprentice to John Guthrie. — Died 21st February 1716. Mar. Marjory Graham.
8 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
AULD, HUGH. 13th July 1871.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Auld, W.S. — Bom 25th March 1845.
AULD, JOHN. 28th November 1833.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Eldest son of Hugh Auld, Cashier of the Com-
mercial Bank. Bmii 2d November 1810. Died 28th March 1875. Mar. 11th
June 1844, Jane, youngest daughter of Robert Johnstone, Merchant, Port-Glasgow.
AULD, JOHN CARNEGIE, 29th October 1880.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black, and J. M. Mackenzie. — Second
son of John Auld, "W.S. Born 17th February 1854.
AUSTIN, ROBERT DAVID JARDINE MEIN. 14th January 1890.
Apprentice to Archibald Steuart. — Son of Rev. John Mein Austin, of St, Mungo.
Bwn 4th July 1864. ^.
AYTOUN, ROBERT, of Capledrae. 9th June 1825.
Apprentice to James F. Gordon. — Youngest son of Major-General Aytoun of
Inchdairnie. Bm'n 17th March 1799. Died 9th September 1874. Mar. 17th
May 1844, Helene Louisa Adelaide, daughter of George Reid Maugham, London.
AYTOUN, ROGER, of Murieston. 8th July 1790.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Junr. — Eldest son of William Aytoun, W.S.
Died 16th March 1843, aged 76. Mar. 9th March 1807, Joan, daughter of James
Keir of Kinmonth, Perthshire. Director in Chancery 1837-43.
AYTOUN, WILLIAM. 16th December 1760.
Apprentice to James Graham. — Second son of Roger Aytoun of Inchdairnie,
Fifeshire. Died May 1780. Mar. 3d June 1766, Isobel, only daughter of Colonel
Patrick Ekimonstone.
AYTOUN, WILLIAM EDMONDSTOUNE. 14th May 1835.
Apprentice to, and son of, Roger Aytoun, W.S. — Bom 21st June 1813. Died
4th August 1865. Mar. (1) 11th April 1849, Jane Emily, youngest daughter of
Professor John Wilson, "Christopher North"; and (2) 24th December 1863,
Feame Jemima, second daughter of James Kinnear, W.S. Author of Lays of tlie
Scotti'yh Cavaliers, and other poems. Admitted Advocate, 20th November 1840,
Professor of Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres in the University of Edinburgh, 1845.
Sheriff of Orkney, 1852.
BABINGTON, WILLIAM. 17th October 1878.
Apprentice to James Lindesay, Junr. — Second son of Lieutenant-Colonel
William Babington, 7th Hussars. Bo^ii 10th Januaiy 1856.
BAILLIE, ANDREW. 20th December 1682.
Apprentice to Archibald Nisljet.^i)i«(i before 1694.
LIST OF MEMBEES 9
BAILLIE, JAMES, of Hardington. 14th April 1694.
Apprentice to Audrew Baillie. — Son of Alexander Baillie of Hillhouse. Bom
1660. Died 28th July 1747. Mar. (1) Elizabeth, daughter of David Johnston,
Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh ; and (2) July 1704, Anna, daughter of George
Livingstone of Saltcoats, Haddingtonshire. Treasurer, 1710-14.
BAILLIE, JAMES WILLIAM, of Culterallers. 12th November 1847.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and John Logan. — Son of Robert
Granbery Baillie of Culterallers. Bm-n 15th October 1824. Died 30th April
1880. Mar. 17th March 1857, Wilhelmina, daughter of John Ronald, S.S.C.
BAILLIE, JOHN. 7th September 1721.
Apprentice to John Stewart. — Son of James Baillie, Sherift-Clerk of Inverness.
Bom 1689. Died 9 th January 1754. Mar. Catherine Dunbar.
BAILLIE, THOMAS, of Polkemmet. 3d May 1732.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Eldest son of Thomas Baillie of Polkemmet.
Died 3d February 1785. Mar. Isobel, daughter of Mr. Alexander Walker,
Minister of Kirkurd. Father of Sir William Baillie, Bart., Lord Polkemmet.
BAILLIE, WILLIAM. 19th November 1801.
Apprentice to Charles Innes. — Eldest son of William Baillie, Commissary Clerk
of Brechin. Died 13th February 1855, aged 82. Mar. 25 th April 1808, Grace
Margaret, daughter of John Mackenzie of Dolphinton, Lanarkshire. Sheriff-
Substitute at Dumfries 1815-39.
BAILLIE, WILLIAM, of Falahill. 21st May 1829.
Apprentice to Melville Bui-d, Thomas Macmillan, and John MiUer. — Son of
John Baillie, Edinburgh. Born 1805. Died 3d December 1876, unmarried.
BAILLIE, WILLIAM ROBERT. 2d June 1836.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Son of William Baillie, W.S. Born 30th
November 1812. Died 9th August 1858. Mar. (1) 4th October 1842, Maria
Inglis, daughter of William Young, Writer in Kilmarnock; and (2) 15th
February 1848, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Johnston, Surgeon in Edinburgh.
BAIRD, JAMES, OF CHE.STERHALL. 19th July 1697.
Servitor to Sir James Ogilvie, Principal Secretary of State. — Eldest sou of John
Baird, Bailie in CuUen. Died July 1741. Mar. (1) 1st July 1697, Margaret,
daughter of John Anderson, Depute Clerk of Justiciary; (2) 15th August 1706,
Jean Watson, of the family of Bilton Park, Yorkshire ; and (3) Mary, daughter
of the Rev. James Oswald, minister of Watten.
BAIRD, JAMES JOHN. 20th December 1827.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Second son of James Baird of the Shotts
Ironworks. Bmi 1804. Died 11th December 1831. Mwr. 14th April 1829,
Ann, daughter of Alexander Dallas, W.S.
B
10 THE SOCIETY Of WRITHES TO THE SIGNET
BAIRD, JOHN.
Commissioner, 18th October 1631.
BAIRD, JOHN. 26th February 1824.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean. — Son of John Baird of Camelou, Stirlingshire.
Died at Calcutta 4th September 1842, aged 43, unmanned.
BAIRD, JOHN WARDEN. 4th July 1828.
Apprentice to John Ferrier. — Son of Thomas Walker Baird, Advocate. Bom
1799. Died 1st February 1875, unmarried.
BAIRNSFATHER, HUGH. 21st May 1806.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Son of David Bairnsfather, Farmer in Harper-
dean. Died 25th November 1812. Mar. 1806, Catherine, daughter of Robert
Walker of Whitelaw, Haddington.
BAIRNSFATHER, PETER, of Dumbarrow. 17 th May 1832.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Eldest son of Hugh Baimslather, W.S. Bmii 27th
May 1809. Died 31st May 1890. Mar. 7th July 1840, Sarah Every, daughter
of Major William Miller, Royal Horse Guards.
BALCANQUALL, DAVID. 19th July 1695.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Died 27th February 1702.
BALDERSTON, WILLIAM. 20th November 1778.
Apprentice to Walter Scott. — Son of George Balderston, Surgeon in St.
Christopher's and afterwards in Edinburgh. Died 2d Januaiy 1818. Mar.
29th March 1796, Helen, second daughter of William Charles Little Gilmour of
Craigmillar, Mid-Lothian.
BALDERSTON, WILLIAM CHARLES. 25th November 1824.
Apprentice to (1) William Balderston, and (2) William Scott. — Eldest son of
William Balderston, W.S. Died 19th April 1851, aged 52, unmarried.
BALFOUR, ANDREW. 3d November 1686.
Apprentice to George Dallas of 'Si. ]\Iiirtins. — Died November 1697. Mar.
(1) Elizabeth, daughter of George Bayne, Merchant Burgess, Edinburgh ; and
(2) Margaret, eldest daughter of John Wedderbum of Blackness, Forfarshire.
BALFOUR, CHARLES. 9th July 1821.
Apprentice to Hugh James Rollo. — Son of John Balfour, Merchant in Glasgow.
Born 4th January 1798. Died 22d May 1856. Mar. 1842, Charlotte, daughter
of Dugald Macgregor, Merchant, Greenock.
BALFOUR, DAVID, of Somerside. 19th July 1779.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Third son of William Balfour of Trenaby,
Orkney. Born 8th November 1754. Died 25th May 1813. Mar. Marion,
daughter of George M'Intosh of Dunchattan.
LIST OF MEMBEES 11
BALFOUR, DAVID, of Trenaby. 29th June 1837.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of William Balfour of Ellwick, Orkney.
Bam 14th October 1811. Dkd 19th November 1887. Mar. 12th December
1844, Eleanor Alder, daughter of Captain Samuel Barker Edmeston: Author of
Odd Rights and Feudal Wrongs: A Mevunial /<»■ Oi-kney. Convener for the
County of Orkney, 1854-87.
BALFOUR, GEORGE. 12th March 1736.
Apprentice to (1) John Mein, and (2) Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan. —
Son of James Balfour of Pilrig. Died 28th March 1751. Mar. October 1739,
Ann, daughter of Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan, W.S.
BALFOUR, JAMES. 26th June 1769.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Eldest son of George Balfour, W.S. Died 24th
November 1806.
BALFOUR, JAMES, of Pilrig. 17th February 1800.
Apprentice to James Gibson. — Eldest son of John Balfour, younger of Pilrig.
Born 7th January 1774. Died 20th March 1860. Mar. 24th February 1806,
Anne, daughter of Captain John Mackintosh of Corribrough, Inverness-shire.
BALFOUR, JAMES. 6th June 1839.
Apprentice to, and second son of, James Balfour of Pilrig, W.S. — Born 17th
February 1815. Mar. 15th August 1844, Eliza Ogilvy, daughter of James Heriot
of Ramomie, Fifeshire, W.S.
BALFOUR, JAMES HERIOT. 15th October 1873.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Balfour, W.S. — Bom 8th July 1845.
Mar. 21st November 1878, Mary Louisa, elder daughter of Sir David Dundas of
Beechwood and Dunira, Bart.
BALFOUR, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. DM about 1628.
BALFOUR, JOHN LEWIS GRAHAM. 1st June 1820.
Apprentice to James Gibson. — Son of John Balfour of Sauchrie. Died 4th April
1866, aged 71. Mar. 5th October 1824, Alexis, eldest daughter of Charles
Mercer, Allan Park, Stirling.
BALFOUR, LESLIE MELVILLE. 17th July 1879.
Apprentice to James Mylne. — Sixth son of James Balfour, W.S. Bo)-n 9th
March 1854. Mar. 25th November 1879, Jeaiiie A., eldest daughter of William
Wilson, M.D., and niece of the Right Hon. John Inglis, Lord Justice-General.
12 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
BALFGUR-MELVILLE, JOHN MACKINTOSH, of Pilrig and Strathkinness.
5th March 1835.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Balfour of Pilrig. — Born 23d September
1811. Mar. 21st September 1841, Anne, daughter of Harry Rainy, M.D.,
Professor of Forensic Medicine in the University of Glasgow.
BALFOUR, WILLIAM. 27th June 1820.
Apprentice to James Hamilton. — Son of William Balfour, Surgeon in Edinburgh.
Brn-n 1794. Died 30th September 1873, unmarried.
BALLANTYNE, WILLIAM, of Shirva. 30th June 1801.
Apprentice to John Hunter. — Second son of James Ballantyne, Merchant in
Glasgow. Died 1st May 1827.
BALLINGAL, ANDREW HUNTER. 6th June 1867.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and A. M. Bell. — Second son of
William Ballingal, Factor, Sweetbank, Fifeshire. Born 21st July 1841. Mar.
6th September 1876, Ellen, elder daughter of Archibald Bums and Ellen
Caroline Macpherson Macdonald of Glencoe.
BALLINGALL, GEORGE. DAVID. 15th July 1886.
Apprentice to William Stuart Eraser.— Eldest son of David Ballingall, Factor,
Blair-Drummond, Perthshire. Bmi 2d March 1852. Mar. 17th April 1888,
Annie Niven Maclean, daughter of Robert K. Mastertoii, Edinburgh.
BANNATYNE, JAMES, of Kiretoun of Newtyle.
Son of Thomas Banuatyne, Senator of the College of Justice. Commissioner, 4th
December 1595. Depute Clerk of Justiciary.
BANNATYNE, JOHN.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
BANNATYNE, or BALLANTYNE, PATRICK.
Commissioner, 1st June 1607.
BANNERMAN, ALEXANDER. 18th September 1714.
Apprentice to Andrew Haliburton. — Died about 1724.
BANNERMAN, CHARLES. 5th July 1742.
Apprentice to George Chalmers. — Second son of Patrick Bannerman, Merchant,
and Lord Provost of Aberdeen. Died 6th February 1747, unmarried.
BANNERMAN, JAMES PATRICK. 24th October 1879,
Apprentice to the Hon. J. W. Moncreiff. — Second son of the Rev. James
Bannerman, D.D., Professor of Divinity, New College, Edinburgh. Bm-n 8th
August 1854.
LIST OF MEMBERS 13
BAEBOUR, PETER. 29th July 1633.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace. — Died before 1669. Mar. Isabell Carmichaell.
Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
BARCLAY, ANTHONY. 20th June 1769.
Apprentice to Alexander M'Millan. — Son of John Barclay, Writing-master in
Dundee. Died 27th September 1811. Mar. 22d December 1801, Grace, eldest
daughter of the Rev. Patrick Grant, Minister of Cromdale.
BARCLAY, JAMES ROBERTSON, of Keavil. 25th February 1740.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Son of George Robertson of Craigarnhall. Died
8th July 1792. Mar. 24th September 1744, Isobel, second daughter of Robert
Wellwood of Garvock, Fifeshire.
BARRON, GEORGE. 4th June 1829.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Burnett, and (2) Alexander Donald. — Son of John
Barron, Aberdeen. Died 11th August 1851, aged 51. Mar. 26th December
1837, Elizabeth, second daughter of Alexander Adie, Optician, Edinburgh.
BAUCHOP, JAMES CALDER. 10th December 1840.
Apprentice to Robert Rutherford. — Only son of Robert Bauchop, residing at
Dens, near Bo'ness. Born 1814. Died 1852, unmarried.
BAXTER, CHARLES. 27th July 1871.
Apprentice to (1) Edmund Baxter, and (2) T. G. Murray and J. A. Jamieson. —
Son of Edmund Baxter, W.S. Born 27th December 1848. Ma/r. 24th July 1877,
Grace Roberta Louisa, youngest daughter of Major-General Robert Stewart,
H.E.I.C.S.
BAXTER, EDMUND. 11th July 1837.
Apprentice to Allan Macdougall. — Born 12th April 1813. Mar. 30th March
1847, Mary, daughter of William Turnbull of Forthbank, Stiilingshire. Auditor
of the Court of Session, 1866.
BAXTER, JAMES. 5th December 1811.
Apprentice to John Dundas. — Son of the Rev. Colin Baxter, Minister of
Monzievaird. Died 18th May 1864, aged 78, unmarried.
BAYLEY, GEORGE. 18th June 1856.
Apprentice to Thomas Elder M'Ritchie. — Eldest son of Isaac Bayley of Manuel,
Stirlingshire, S.S.C. Born 12th October 1831. Mar. 24th March 1863, Helen
Christian, youngest daughter of William Hunt of Navity, Fifeshire, W.S.
BAYNE, JOHN.
Signs the Acts 26tb December 1627.
14 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
BAYNE, JOHN. 25th February 1635.
Apprentice to Cuthbert Miller. — Second son of John Bayne, W.S. Struck off
the Roll of Society, 8th January 1666, having been appointed Sheriff-Clerk of
Berwickshire.
BAYNE, JOHN, of Pitcairly. 9th January 1655.
Apprentice to John Semple. — Son of Donald Bayne. Died 28th January 1681,
aged 60. Mar. Euphan Aikman, sister of Andrew Aikman, "W.S. Ke-admitted
8th July 1661.
BAYNE, JOHN. 9th June 1825.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of John Bayne, Schoolmaster in Leith.
Born 1795. Died 10th May 1843. 3Iar. 20th July 1831, Jessie, daughter of
James Cassie of Banff. Lecturer on Conveyancing to the Juridical Society.
BEATOUN, ALEXANDER, of Langhermiston. 13th March 1650.
Apprentice to Alexander Douglas. — Second son of Alexander Beatoun, Burgess
of Anstruther. Died 9th November 1672, aged 57. Mar. 1642, Marjory
Kennedie. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
BEATSON, ALEXANDER. 20th June 1793.
Apprentice to Alexander Mackenzie. — Son of the Rev. David Beatson, Minister
of Dunbamey. Died 10th October 1806.
BEATSON, ROBERT. 13th May 1869.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton and George Thomas Kinnear. — Son of
Robert Beatson, Writer in Edinburgh. Born 1st November 1833. Mar. 21st
October 1879, Mary Editha, second daughter of Robert Tod, M.D., Dysart.
BEGG, ANDREW VANNAN, B.L. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to R W. Wallace. — Son of John Begg, Ironmaster, Kinniel, Bo'ness,
Bom 15th April 1857.
BEITH, DONALD. 17th July 1862.
Apprentice to James Greig and Charles Morton. — Son of Gilbert Beith, residing
in Lochgilphead. Bo)-n 25th November 1815. Mar. 16th November 1870,
Mina Maria, third daughter of James Balfour, and widow of Andrew Murray,
Jun., W.S. Admitted S.S.C. 1850.
BEITH, ROBERT DONALD. 19th July 1872.
Apprentice to Andrew Murray, Junr., and Donald Beith, his uncle. — Son of the
Rev. Alexander Beith, D.D., Minister of the Free North Church, Stirling. Bm-n
16th October 1844.
BELL, ALAN RUTHERFORD, of Hillowton. 6th February 1888.
Apprentice to David Wardlaw. — Son of John Bell of Hillowton, Kirkcudbright-
shire. Born Ist November 1862.
LIST OF MEMBERS 15
BELL, ALEXANDER MONTGOMERIE. 5th March 1835.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Son of John Bell, Merchant in Paisley. Bom
4th December 1809. Died 19th January 1866. Mar. 21st June 1836, Margaret,
eldest daughter of Hugh Colquhoun, Merchant in Glasgow. Professor of
Conveyancing in the University of Edinburgh, 1856-66. Author of Lectures
on Conveyancing.
BELL, BENJAMIN WILLIAM. 13th June 1833.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Bell, W.^.—Bmii 23d July 1810. Died 22d
August 1840, unmarried.
BELL, CARLYLE 6th March 1810.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Youngest son of Thomas Bell, Merchant in
London. Died 27th August 1850, aged 71. Mar. (1) 25th December 1806,
Joan, daughter of the Rev. Robert Home, Minister of Polwarth; and (2) 13th
July 1821, Jean Dickie, eldest daughter of Charles Cuningham of Newholm,
W.S.
BELL, CHARLES, of Craigfoodie. 19th August 1700.
Apprentice to William Dykes. — Son of Robert Bell, W.S. Died May 1731.
Mar. April 1706, Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Andrew Ury, Minister of
Muiravonside.
BELL, CHARLES YOUNG BEATSON. 13th November 1862.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Beatson Bell, W.S.—£mi 1835. Died 26th
April 1868, unmarried.
BELL, GIDEON WILLIAM, of Fourtoun. 30th June 1831.
Apprentice to William Scott and Gilbert Laurie Finlay. — Son of William Bell,
Farmer, Swintonhill, Berwickshire. Bwn 14th August 1805. Died 4th March
1887. Mar. 10th October 1855, Barbara Leonora, second daughter of General
Alexander Dirom. *
BELL, HAMILTON. 8th August 1785.
Apprentice to Walter Ross.— Son of John Bell, Stabler in Edinburgh. Died
6th May 1807.
BELL, JOHN. 23d June 1757.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford.— Second son of John Bell of Alderston. Died
12th July 1776. 3Iar. 14th March 1774, Clementina, daughter of John Blair of
Dunskey, Wigtownshire.
BELL, JOHN, OF Greenhill. 24th November 1774.
Apprentice to John Bell.— Eldest son of Richard Bell of Between-the- Waters.
Died 1776.
16 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
BELL, JOHN, OF Craigeoch. 8th May 1798.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Eldest son of John Bell, W.S. Died 15th
November 1852, unmarried.
BELL, JOHN, OF Castlecreavie. 21st January 1874.
Apprentice to William Waddell. — Son of William Bell of Gribdae, Kirkcud-
brightshire. Born 17th July 1848. Mar. 14th April 1879, Agnes, eldest
surviving daughter of James Newall of Goldielea, Kirkcudbrightshire. Deputy
Keeper of the Great Seal, 1882.
BELL, JOHN BEATSON, of Kilduncan. 28th Febniary 1828.
Apprentice to Charles Nairne. — Eldest son of the Rev. Andrew Bell of Kildun-
can, Minister of Crail. Born 1802. i^i«(n 5th May 1868. ilfar. 16th December
1830, Ann, eldest daughter of Charles Young, Merchant in Leith.
BELL, JOHN MONTGOMERIE. 27th November 1862.
Apprentice to, and sou of, Alexander Montgomerie Bell, W.S.—Born 28th May
1837. Mar. 26th July 1870, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Henry Simpson,
Selville, Portobello.
BELL, MATTHEW MONTGOMERIE. 26th May 1864.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and Alexander Montgomerie
Bell. — Son of John Montgomerie Bell, Advocate, Sheriff of Kincardineshire.
Born 5th March 1840. 3Iar. 4th April 1877, Jane Caroline, second surviving
daughter of James Cockburn, Rampore, Bauleah, Bengal.
BELL, RICHARD, of Castle O'er and Crurie. 2d August 1859.
Apprentice to James Steuart. — Son of George Graham Bell of Crurie, Advocate.
Bom 12th September 1833. Mar. (1) 29th July 1864, Jane, daughter of
William Aitchison of Briery Hill; (2) 19th June 1878, Margaret Elizabeth,
daughter of Captain David Marshall, H.E.I.C.S. ; and (3) 14th September 1880,
Henrietta May, second surviving daughter of S. H. May Somerville of
Whitecroft.
BELL, ROBERT. 22d June 1784.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Eldest son of Rev. William Bell, one of the
Ministers of Edinburgh. Died Ist November 1816. Mar. Mary Hamilton,
granddaughter of Claud Hamilton, Writer, Maybole. Admitted Advocate, 4th
July 1812. Lecturer on Conveyancing. Author of A Dictionary of the Law of
Scotland, and other legal works.
BELL, ROBERT. 29th November 1673.
Apprentice to Patrick Don. — Died February 1685. Mar. March 167^,
Margaret Lumsden.
LIST OF MEMBEES 17
BELL, ROBERT CEAIGIE. 26th May 1864.
Apprentice to John Ord Mackenzie and William Robert Baillie. — Second son of
Benjamin Bell, Surgeon in Edinburgh. Bm-n 13th September 1840. Mar. 20th
July 1866, Isabella Moubray, daughter of Rev. Lewis Hay Irving, Free Church
Minister, Falkirk.
BELL, WILLIAM. 16th June 1807.
Apprentice to Hugh Corrie. — Third son of Benjamin Bell of Hunthill, Surgeon
in Edinburgh. Bmrn 1783. Mar. 11th September 1809, Margaret Jane, daughter
of John Craigie of Glendoick. Died 19th June 1849. Crown Agent, 1840-1.
BENNET, JAMES 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to Alexander Robertson. — Son of James Bennet, Merchant in
Buckie. Died 1859, aged 65. Mar. 25th April 1825, Margaret, only daughter
of William M'Kimmie, Elgin.
BENNETT, ALEXANDER. 5th March 1835.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Bennett, W.S. — Born 25th September
1811. Died 17th February 1855. Mar. 9th March 1846, Isabella Nelson.
BENNETT, WILLIAM. 18th November 1817.
Apprentice to Thomas Scott. — Son of Andrew Bennett, Farmer at Brunstane,
Mid-Lothian. Died 7th January 1843, aged 62.
BERRY, WILLIAM, of Tayfield. 16th January 1798.
Apprentice to (1) Lawrence Hill and (2) Harry Davidson. — Son of John Berry
of Bogie and Tayfield, Fifeshire. Born 23d March 1774. Died 9th December
1852. Mar. 23d September 1823, Isabella Henderson.
BERTRAM, JOHN PRIMEROSE. 11th June 1829.
Apprentice to James Nairne. — Eldest son of John Bertram, Com Merchant in
St. Andrews. Bom 1803. Died 16th October 1849. Mar. 1st October 1833,
Georgina, third daughter of James Turnbull.
BEVERIDGE, JAMES. 18th December 1826.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Graham and (2) Adam M'Cheyne. — Son of William
Beveridge, W.S. Bwn 1800. Died 16th August 1869. Mar. (1) Louisa Fuche ;
and (2) 4th September 1855, Matilda Wynne.
BEVERIDGE, THOMAS KNOX. 27th June 1833.
Apprentice to John Murray. — Son of Thomas Beveridge, Writer in Edinburgh
Born 1st August 1807. Died 11th April 1858. Mar. 22d April 1834, Ann,
youngest daughter of Dr. Patrick Mushet, of Birkhill, Stirlingshire.
BEVERIDGE, WILLIAM. 8th August 1785.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Second son of James Beveridge, Writer in
Edinburgh. Died 5th Jufie 1807, aged 43. Mar. Barbara May.
c
18 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
BICKARTOUN, HAERY.
Commissioner 16th December 1594. Fiscal, 1598-1604. Mar. Violet Tuedy.
BILTON, LEWIS. 16th November 1871.
Apprentice to John M. Lindsay and Alexander Howe. — Son of Captain Lewis
Bilton, R.N. Born 16th October 1843. Mar. 11th June 1873, Hannah Marion,
youngest daughter of John Doriin Grayson, Shipbuilder, Liverpool.
BINNING, ALEXANDER MONRO, of Auchenbowie. 5th March 1829.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Son of David Monro Binning of Softlaw. Born
28th May 1805. 3far. 4th August 1835, Harriet, daughter of Dr. Alexander
Monro of Craiglockhart, Mid-Lothian.
BINNY, GRAHAM. 12th November 1829.
Apprentice to James Laidlaw Mitchell. — Son of Andrew Binny of the Excise,
Dundee. Bmii 2d August 1800. Died 12th November 1882. Mar. 31st July
1826, Marianne, daughter of Thomas Kyd, of the Exchequer, Edinburgh.
BINNY, JOHN. 15th March 1861.
Apprentice to, and son of, Graham Binny, W.S. — Born 6th July 1837. Died
13th July 1873. Mar. 26th August 1869, Euphemia Bremner, daughter of
David Crole, Solicitor to Inland Revenue, Edinburgh.
BIRRELL, GEORGE. 1st July 1824.
Apprentice to (1) Henry Moncreiff, and (2) James Stuart. — Son of George
Birrell, of Hon. East India Company's Service. Boi-n 1800. Vied 9th March
1837. Mar. 29th December 1832, Lucy, eldest daughter of Hon. Charles Chip-
chase, Comptroller of the Customs, island of St. Lucia. Barrister of the Inner
Temple and Senior Member of Legislative Council of St. Lucia; Attorney-
General of Bahamas.
BIRS, SAMUEL. \
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. — Son of Alexander Birs, Tailor Burgess of
Edinburgh. Died 25th December 1616.
BISHOP, WILLIAM CLARK. 18th January 1877.
Apprentice to John Dundas and William Wilson. — Son of John Baillie Bishop,
Secretary of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Bom 10th November 1849. Mar.
14th October 1880, Mary, daughter of John Jamieson of Kingask, Fifeshire.
BISSET, HABAKKUK.
Reputed Author of Ane sluyrt form of Process, 1609. — Clerk to Sir John Skene,
Lord Clerk Register. Suspended for having no gown 9th March 1610. Was
one of the greatest oddities of his time.
BISSET, ROBERT.
Mentioned 1609.
LIST OF MEMBERS 19
BLACK, ALEXANDER DAVID MARTIN. 29th November 1866.
Apprentice to (1) David M. Black, and (2) Colin Mackenzie. — Son of the Rev.
Patrick Black, residing at Worcester, Cape Colony. Born 24th September 1843.
Mar. (!) 6th December 1866, Catherine Gibson Ramsay, only daughter of James
Hackings, Inveresk; and (2) 10th September 1872, his cousin, Mary Helen, only
daughter of Alexander Schulze, M.D., Victoria.
BLACK, ALEXANDER WILLIAM. 19th October 1885.
Apprentice to John William Young and John Blair. — Son of the Rev. James
Black, Minister of the Free Church of Dunnikier. Bwn 28th February 1859.
Mar. 17th October 1888, Ellinor, youngest daughter of Admiral Thomas Wilson,
C.B., Edinburgh.
BLACK, DAVID MARTIN. 20th December 1821.
Apprentice to Alexander L. Ramage, John Blair, and William Bell. — Second son
of the Rev. Alexander Black, Minister of the Associate Burgher Congregation at
Musselburgh. Dkd 5th April 1865, aged 68, unmarried.
BLACKBURN, RICHARD FREDERICK. 29th October 1880.
Apprentice to C. Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black, and J. M. Mackenzie. — Son of
Robert Bogle Blackburn, Advocate, Sheriff of Stirling and Dumbarton. £or7i 17th
July 1854. Died 18th September 1884, unmarried.
BLACKIE, DAVID. 30th November 1819.
Apprentice to James Little. — Second son of Robert Blackie, Merchant in Kirk-
cudbright. Born 1795. Died 2d September 1832. Mar. 2d August 1825,
Margaret, only daughter of David Briggs of Strathairly, Fifeshire. Editor Edin-
burgh Evening Post.
BLACKWOOD, JAMES. 21st December 1837.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of William Blackwood, Publisher in Edin-
burgh. Boi-n 6th July 1814. Died 17th October 1871, unmarried.
BLAIR, ALEXANDER. 14th July 1628.
Apprentice to Robert Wynram.
BLAIR, ALEXANDER, of Dunrod. 22d November 1790.
Apprentice to John Hunter. — Only sou of Hugh Blair of Dunrod, Kirkcudbright-
shire. Bm-n 8th September 1766. Died 24th June 1844. Mar. 24th July 1800,
Agnes, second daughter of Sir David Maxwell of Cardoness, Bart.
BLAIR, ALEXANDER STEVENSON. 28th October 1889.
Apprentice to J. P. Wright and R. B. Blyth. — Eldest son of Patrick Blair,
Advocate, Sheriff-Substitute of Inverness-shire. B&rn 3d June 1865.
BLAIR, GAVIN, of Braxfield.
Brother of Rev. James Blair, Minister of Port Montgomerie. Died 1632. M.P.
Lanark, 1617-1621. Purchased lands of Braxfield 1613.
so THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
BLAIR, GAVINE. 9th June 1629. ^
Apprentice to Sir William Scott of Elie and Arthur Hamilton.
BLAIR, HUGH, of Auchenreoch. 22d November 1827.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Blair, W.S. — Born 2l8t March 1806. Died
5th January 1878. Mar. 8th November 1833, Ann Gordon, daughter of Patrick
Sanderson, of Sir William Forbes and Company, Bankers, Edinburgh.
BLAIR, JOHN. 21st December 1809.
Apprentice to Robert Boswell. — Eldest son of John Blair of Gavshake, Merchant
in Glasgow. Born 1779. Died 21st April 1858. Mar. 24th December 1813, his
cousin, Margaret, third daughter of Horatius Cannan, W.S.
BLAIR, JOHN. 17th October 1878.
Apprentice to John William Young. — Second son of William Blair, Dairy, Ayr-
shire.—.B(?r» 22d December 1839. Mar. 22d June 1869, Ann MiUer, youngest
daughter of James Mather, Mariouville, Trinity.
BLAIR, PATRICK. . 9th February 1860.
Apprentice to James Shepherd, T. M. Grant, and William Cuthbertson.— Second
son of Hugh Blair, W.S. Born 4th October 1836. Mar. 3d December 1873,
Hon. Eleonora Jane Ross, daughter of James, Lord Moncreiff of Tulliebole.
BLAIR, WILLIAM. 9th August 1782.
Apprentice to Isaac Grant. — Second son of William Blair of Thomhill. Died 12th
May 1800. Mar. Ann Blair.
BLANE, ANDREW, of Blanefield. 24th November 1774.
Apprentice to Allan Clarke. — Eldest son of Gilbert Blane of Blanefield. Born
1744. Died 9th October 1839, unmarried. Sheriff-Clerk of Ayrshire, 1815-21.
BLYTH, ROBERT BRITTAIN. 19th April 1876.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton, G. T. Kinnear, and Robert Beatson. — Second
son of Benjamin Hall Blyth, Civil Engineer in Edinburgh. Born 13th December
1850. Died 8th September 1886, unmarried.
BOGLE, ANDREW. 26th May 1842.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Son of Andrew Bogle, Cashier of the Royal
Bank of Scotland. Barn 23d March 1811. Dial 4th October 1871. Mar. 7th
April 1863, Margaret Robertson, daughter of John M'Kean, W.S.
BOGLE, JOHN, of Bogleshole. 22d September 1713.
Died September 1743. Clerk, 21st January 1712. Mar. Isobel Henderson.
BOGUE, JOHN, OF Hallydown. 21st June 1787.
Apprentice to Thomas Cockburn. — Son of John Bogue of Hallydown, Berwick-
shire. Bffrn 1740. Died 7th September 1818. Mar. August 1767, Margai-et,
daughter of Henry Anderson, farmer, Broughton, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBERS r- 21
BONAR, HORATIUS. 22d January 1874.
Apprentice to Thomas Thomson and David Scott Dickson. — Third son of Rev.
John James Bonar, D.D., Minister of St. Andrew's Free Church, Greenock. Bwn
31st July 1843. Mar. 25th July 1883, Mary, younger daughter of Thomas
Thomson, W.S.
BONAR, JAMES. 22d November 1827.
Apprentice to Charles Tawse. — Eldest son of James Bonai', Solicitor of Excise,
Edinburgh. Bom 1801. Died 11th July 1867. Mar. 7th December 1859,
Caroline, daughter of Alexander Glennie, of Maybank, Aberdeenshire.
BOOTH, JOSEPH. 9th December 1830.
Apprentice to James Shepherd. — Son of George Booth, residing at Springbank,
near Aberdeen. Died August 1871, aged 68, unmarried.
BORTHWICK, JAMES.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Died circa 1606.
BORTHWICK, LOUIS. 28th February 1828.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Third son of John Borthwick of Crookston,
Mid-Lothian. Born 1801. Died 22d September 1876. Mar. 19th July 1844,
Susan, third daughter of John Westgarth, Surveyor of Customs.
BOSWELL, ALEXANDER. 8th December 1808.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Robert Boswell, W.S. — Born 1781. Died 30th
August 1850. Mar. 30th August 1803, Mary, daughter of John Sandeman,
Perth. Sheriff-Substitute of Berwicksliire, 1836-50.
BOSWELL, ROBERT, of St. Boswells. 25th February 1773.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Second son of Dr. John Boswell, Pliysician in
Edinburgh. Bm-ii 30th January 1746. Dial 1st April 1804. Mar. June 1769,
Sibella, daughter of William Sandeman, Merchant, Pertli. Lyon Depute and
Clerk, 2d November 1770.
BOW, HENRY HARDIE. 17th November 1825.
Apprentice to Alexander Douglas. — Second son of Robert Bow, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Died 24th November 1826.
BOW, JOHN MACKENZIE. 11th April 1887.
Apprentice to Patrick William Campbell. — Eldest son of Dr. John Campbell
Bow, Deputy Surgeon-General in the Bengal Army. Born 7th May 1863.
BOWIE, JOHN, OF Camsiscan. 7th July 1815.
Apprentice to Donald Maclean. — Son of William Bowie of Camsiscan, Ayr.
Disd 28th January 1862, aged 70. Mar. 15th March 1813, Maxwell Margaret,
daughter of Captain Duncan Macdougall of Ardentrive, Argyllshire. Solicitor
to Inland Revenue.
fat THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
BOYD, ALEXANDER. 4th March 1826,
Apprentice to Francis Wilson. — Son of William Boyd, W.S. Born 1802. Lied
28th November 1840. Mar. 23d September 1828, Lucy Frances, only daughter
of Major John Duddingston, 28th Regiment.
BOYD, GEORGE WILLIAM. 12th December 1816.
Apprentice to Henry Jardine. — Son of William Boyd of Marchhill, Dumfriesshire.
Bom 1794. Died November 1882. Mar. 14th May 1850, Mary Ann Bennet.
BOYD, MURDOCH. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to John Hope Finlay. — Son of John Boyd, Publisher, Edinburgh.
Bm-n 20th March 1865.
BOYD, ROBERT, Younger of Drum. 19th November 1801.
Apprentice to David Balfour. — Son of Robert Boyd of Drum. Died 10th
December 1815.
BOYD, WILLIAM, of Hillhousefield. 4th December 1794.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Son of Archibald Boyd, of the Hon. East India
Company's Service. Died 21st June 1846, aged 74. Mar. 14th March 1798,
daughter of Alexander Brown, Merchant, Edinburgh.
BOYD, WILLIAM. 15th July 1886.
Apprentice to Robert Bruce Johnston. — Son of John Boyd of Maxpoffle, Roxburgh-
shire, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Isabella, daughter of John
Lawson of Caimmuir, Peeblesshire, W.S. Bm-n 25th November 1861. Mar.
16th July 1890, Laura, younger daughter of John Crerar, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
BOYD, WILLIAM MITCHELL. 8th July 1828.
Apprentice to Alexander Monypenny. — Son of John Boyd of Broadmeadows,
Selkirkshire. Born 29th August 1804. Mar. 4th August 1841, Anne, daughter
of Dr. James Hamilton, Professor of Midwifery, University of Edinburgh.
BOYES, THOMAS. 15th September 1704.
Apprentice to David Balcanquall.— Fiscal, 1710-17. Died about 1718. Mar.
19th April 1708, Grizel, daughter of James Hay of Carriber, Linlithgowshire.
BRAND, WILLIAM. 10th July 1834.
Apprentice to Scott, Finlay, and Balderston.— Son of Charles Brand, Farmer in
the parish of Peterhead. Born 5th January 1807. Died 18th October 1869.
Mar. 19th July 1848, Eleanor Bruce, youngest daughter of Captain Bruce
Mitchell, H.E.I.C.S. Secretary of Union Bank of Scotland.
BREMNER, CHARLES. 8th July 1790.
Apprentice to William Balderston. — Son of James Bremner, S.S.C, Edinburgh.
Born 4th June 1768. Died 1st August 1857. Mar. 1834, Isabella, daughter of
Thomas Pender, Comptroller of Stamps and Taxes. ' '
LIST OF MEMBERS 23
BREMNER, HUGH. 7th June 1825.
Apprentice to Charles Bremner. — Son of Hugh Bremner, Accountant in Edin-
burgh. Boi-n 1802. Died 2Uh August l8Qd. ifar. 11th June 1833, Catherine,
daughter of Robert Menzies of Trinity.
BRIDGES, DAVID JAMES. 6th March 1845.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Bridges, W.S.—Born 26th August 1821. JJied
February 1852, unmarried.
BRIDGES, JAMES. 22d June 1810.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Fourth son of David Bridges, Merchant in Edin-
burgh. Died 6th May 1865, aged 80. Mar. (1) 18th August 1817, Jane,
youngest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald, Royal Marines; and (2)
18th September 1838, Mrs. Jane Mary M'Kerras Gracie, of Williamscraig.
Author of Fiew of the Political State of Scotland at Michaelmas 1811.
BRINGLOE, FRANCIS JOHN. 29th June 1837.
Apprentice to John Bowie. — Son of Hugh Say Bringloe, Clerk of the Jury
Court. Born 15th April 1814. Died 25th December 1858. Mar. 18th August
1842, Margaret, daughter of Adam Thomson, Accountant in Edinburgh.
BRISBANE, JAMES. 20th July 1696.
Apprentice to Robert Watson. — Second son of James Brisbane of Brisbane.
Mar. (1) 1691, Anna, second daughter of John Cranston of Glen, Peeblesshire ;
and (2) December 1720, Ann, daughter of John Mitchell of Alderston.
BRODIE, FRANCIS. 7th July 1803.
Apprentice to James Walker.— Second son of John Brodie, tenant in Linplum.
. Bm-n 1764. Died 23d October 1839. Mar. (1) 4th September 1795, EHzabeth,
daughter of Ellis Martin, Merchant in Leith; and (2) 31st December 1808,
Margaret, second daughter of Gilbert Ker of Gateshaw, Roxburghshire.
BRODIE, GEORGE JAMES. 28th October 1881.
Apprentice to John Clerk Brodie, his uncle. — Second son of Lieut.-Colonel Thomas
Brodie, residing in Edinburgh. Bm-n 20th February 1859. Mar. 4th June 1890,
Theresa Sophia Charlotte, elder daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Wayne of Tick-
wood Hall, Shropshire.
BRODIE, JAMES GIBSON CRAIG. 31st October 1879.
Apprentice to, and youngest son of, John Clerk Brodie, W.S. — Born 18th March
1855. Died 19th September 1884. Mar. 26th June 1878, Ellen Anne, daughter
of Edmund J. W. Wood, of Henley Hall, Ludlow, Salop.
BRODIE, JOHN. 4th July 1823.
Apprentice to James Jollie. — Eldest son of Francis Brodie, W.S. Born 1797.
Died nth August 1865. Mar. 3d March 1828, Margaret Amelia, eldest daughter
of Major-General Thomas William Kerr.
S4 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
BRODIE, JOHN BUCHAN. 16th November 1812.
Apprentice to Thomas Gordon.— Son of William Brodie, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 4th January 1866, aged 78. Mar. Elizabeth Tucker Shaw.
BRODIE, JOHN CLERK, of Idvies, C.B., LL.D. 17th November 1836.
Apprentice to James Thomson Gibson Craig. — Fourth son of Thomas Brodie,
W.S. Born 20th May 1811. Died 27th May 1888. Mar. (1) 20th March 1832,
Bathia Garden, eldest daughter of Stewart Souter of Melrose, Banffshire ; and
(2) 16th November 1848, Penelope Marianne, third daughter of the Rev. John
Sneyd, of Ashcombe, Staffordshire. Crown Agent, February 1847 to March
1852, and January 1853 to March 1858 ; Keeper of the Register of Sasines,
3d February 1858; Treasurer, 1870; Deputy Keeper of the Signet, 1882-87.
BRODIE, JOHN SNEYD. 26th December 1873.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Clerk Brodie, W.S. — Barn 23d October 1850.
Died 1st June 1875, unmarried.
BRODIE, LUDOVICK, of Whytfield. 11th July 1706.
Apprentice to John Campbell.— Son of Francis Brodie of Milnton, Elginshire.
Born about 1681. Died 16th June 1758. Mar. Helen Grant.
BRODIE, THOMAS. 18th June 1739.
Apprentice to John Macfarlane. — Second surviving son of Alexander Brodie of
Lethen, Nairnshire. Died 19th August 1770. Mar. March 1755, Phoebe, daughter
of Thomas Forbes of Thornton, Kincardineshire, and widow of John Scott of
Hedderwick, Forfarshire. Lyon Depute, 7th September 1754.
BRODIE, THOMAS DAWSON, of Idvies. 12th November 1857.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, John Clerk Brodie, W.S. — Born 26th December
1832. Mar. (1) 11th September 1861, Charlotte Frederika, third daughter of
Thomas John Furnell of Heathmount, county Limerick; and (2) 18th April
1876, Anne, eldest daughter of William Dawson of Gairdoch, Stirlingshire.
Deputy Keeper of the Privy Seal, 1869-74.
BRODIE, THOMAS. 21st June 1787.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Second son of Thomas Brodie, W.S. Born
10th August 1760. Died 14th September 1825. Mar. Ann Taap. Resigned his
Commission 18th February 1792.
BROOKMAN, JAMES. 29th October 1888.
Apprentice to Alexander Howe and William Macgillivray.- Son of Benjamin
Brookman, Edinburgh. Born 7th June 1842. Mar. 19th December 1873, Annie,
second daughter of James Buchanan, Farmer, Ballafuil, Balquhidder.
LIST OF MEMBEES 25
BROUGHTON, CHARLES. 1st March 1799.
Apprentice to Joseph Cauvin. — Third son of Edward Broughton, of the Excise.
Died 10th November 1823. Mar. 5th June 1799, Helen, daughter of John Peat,
Writer in Edinburgh.
BROUN, ALEXANDER CARRUTHERS M'BRYDE. 4th August 1880.
Apprentice to (1) Hector Monro, and (2) W. C. MacEwen. — Son of the Rev. Hugh
M'Bryde Broun, Free Church Minister, Lochmaben. Bmii 5th June 1856. Mar.
6th September 1889, Jessie, daughter of Robert Wanless, Edinburgh.
BROWN, ARCHIBALD GEORGE. 13th January 1890.
Apprentice to Thomas D. Brodie. — Bm-n 1 1th March 1850. Mar. 31st December
1874, Helen, only daughter of W. P. Faichney, Kinross.
BROWN, CHARLES. 26th February 1753.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Son of Charles Brown of Coalstoun, East-Lothian.
Died 25th April 1781.
BROWN, DAVID. 11th July 1817.
Apprentice to Adam RoUand. — Son of James Brown, Bookseller in Edinburgh,
Died 29th January 1836.
BROWN, DAVID. 1st July 1825.
Apprentice to Alexander Douglas. — Eldest son of the Rev. David Brown, Minister
of Crailing. Born 1799; not known precisely when he died. Mar. 8th April
1835, Mary Ann, youngest daughter of James Taylor, of Lloyd's, London.
BROWN, DAVID, Younger of Park. 12th November 1847.
Apprentice to John Scott and William C. Balderston. — Eldest son of Major David
Brown of Park. Born 8th September 1822. Died 18th November 1861. Mar.
4th November 1856, Catherine, daughter of Alexander Robertson, Edinburgh.
BROWN, HUGH. 15th July 1885.
Apprentice to Thomas Elliot Ogilvie Home. — Eldest son of Hugh Brown of
Broadstone, Ayrshire. Born 22d April 1861.
BROWN, JAMES. 7th July 1824.
Apprentice to David Cleghom. — Son of Thomas Brown, Builder at Uphall. Born
1800. Died 10th August 1845, unmarried.
BROWN, JOHN, OF Prathouse. 24th February 1809.
Apprentice to Thomas Scotland. — Son of John Brown of Prathouse. Died 1st
January 1819.
BROWN, JOHN. 1st December 1825.
Apprentice to John Tweedie.— Eldest son of John Brown of Culter Mains,
Lanarkshire. Died 29th February 1872, aged 75, unmarried. Author of a
Summary of the Turnpike Act.
f» THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
BROWN, JOHN OSBURN. 2d December 1794.
Apprentice to James Thomson. —Son of Alexander Brown, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Born 1771. Died 30th January 1838. Mar. (1) 14th July 1797, Agnes Campbell,
Lochdochart; and (2) 30th April 1812, Elizabeth Rae, eldest daughter of John
■ Campbell, Receiver-General of Customs. Second Clerk to Jury Court, 1815-30.
BROWN, ROBERT, of Kirklands. 5th July 1782.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Eldest son of the Rev. James Brown, one of the
Ministers of Edinburgh. Bm-n 23d August 1758. Died 6th November 1812.
Mar. 22d December 1782, Isabella, eldest daughter of Alexander Adam, Architect,
Edinburgh.
BROWN, ROBERT. 16th June 1818.
Apprentice to William Molle. — Eldest son of Robert Brown, W.S. Bom 1790.
Died 15th May 1833, unmarried.
BROWN, ROBERT, of Whitsome Newton. 16th July 1846.
Apprentice to John Scott and William C. Balderston. — Son of Robert Brown of
Gilston. Bam 26th October 1819. Died 28th December 1855. Mar. 3d July
1845, Sarah Ann, daughter of Alexander Hamilton, Mauchline.
BROWN", ROBERT JOHNSTON. 14th November 1839.
Apprentice to Smith and Kinnear. — Son of William Henry Brown of Ratho Bank.
Bom 5th July 1816. Died 28th April 1876. Mar. 8th December 1855, Augusta
Marcia, daughter of Rev. Thomas Charles Brown, London. Cornet, 14th King's
Light Dragoons, 1842; Lieutenant, 1845; Captain, 1853 ; Major, 1864.
BROWN, WALTER, of Colton. 6th July 1826.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Only son of Captain John Brown, of the ship
Wellington, of Leith. Born 1802. Died 4th July 1869. Mar. 23d March 1840,
Jane, second daughter of James Spowart of Springbank.
BRUCE, EDWARD. 25th November 1780.
Apprentice to William Aytoun. — Eldest son of Captain James Bruce, of the 26th
Regiment. Died 27th February 1804.
BRUCE, GEORGE. 17th April 1862.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie and William R. Baillie. — Eldest son of Thomas
Bruce of Langlee, W.S. Bc/rn 3d February 1829.
BRUCE, JAMES. 25th June 1863.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton. — Son of James Bruce of the Inland Revenue,
residing in Edinburgh. Bom 8th September 1838. Mar. 29th August 1871,
Catherine, eldest daughter of John Russel, Dean of Guild, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBERS »?«'*■ 27
BRUCE, JOHN. 29th June 1843. ~
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of James Bruce of Pow-
foulis, Stirlingshire. Barn 19th November 1815. Mar. 4th June 1857, Jessie,
third daughter of Robert Taylor of Broomland, Kirkcudbrightshire.
BRUCE, THOMAS, of Langlee. 15th June 1810.
Apprentice to Archibald Tod. — Eldest son of George Bruce of Langlee, Depute
Clerk of Session. Born 3d January 1785. Died 25th May 1850. Mar. 6th March
1828, Margaret, daughter of Charles Steuart, W.S. Depute Clerk of Session, 14th
January 1824 till death.
BRUCE, THOMAS. 9th July 1819.
Apprentice to (1) John Dundas, (2) H. J. Rollo. — Son of James Bruce, Secretary
to the Board of Excise. Born 1794. Died 2d December 1837. Mar. 13th
January 1831, Matilda, daughter of Thomas Gloag of Chapelton.
BRUNTON, JAMES. 27th November 1862.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and John Logan. — Son of William
Brunton, Merchant in Edinburgh. Born 31st December 1838. Alar. 26th
November 1868, Ellen Marion, daughter of Montagu Gosset, London.
BRYCE, GEORGE FERGUSON. 21st July 1879.
Apprentice to John Cook. — Son of Archibald Hamilton Bryce, D.C.L., Edinburgh.
Born 2d June 1855.
BUCHAN, JAMES. 16th November 1781.
Apprentice to William Wilson, Senr. — Son of David Buchan, Bailie in Perth.
Died 28th May 1814.
BUCHAN, JOHN. 10th July 1770.
Apprentice to (1) George TumbuU ; and (2) Charles Brown. — Third son of John
Buchan of Letham. Born 6th October 1742. Died 17th August 1822.
BUCHAN, JOHN. 19th November 1782.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart, Junr. — Third son of Thomas Buchan of Auchma-
coy, Aberdeenshire. Died in Jamaica 1793.
BUCHAN, WILLIAM. 19th November 1782.
Apprentice to John Buchan. — Eldest son of Hugh Buchan, Chamberlain of the
City of Edinburgh. Died 26th April 1790.
BUCHANAN, CHARLES SN0D6RASS, of Cunninghamhead. 29th June 1838.
Apprentice to Cunningham and Bell. — Eldest son of David Snodgrass Buchanan
of Cunninghamhead. Born 4th April 1813. Died 22d September 1849, un-
married.
m THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
BUCHANAN, HECTOR MACDONALD, of Drumnakiln. 8th March 1791.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Third son of Coll Macdonald of Boisdale,
Inverness-shire. Died 14th September 1828. Mar. 13th July 1793, Jean,
daughter of Robert Buchanan of Drumnakiln and Ross Priory, whose name he
assumed. Principal Clerk of Session, 17th May 1805 till death.
BUCHANAN, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594. Died 23d October 1611.
BUCHANAN, JOHN. 13th December 1723.
Apprentice to Robert Campbell of Balvie. — Mar. December 1723, Mary, daughter
of Ronald Campbell of Balerno, W.S. Solicitor to Board of Customs.
BUCHANAN, MUNGO, of Auchentorlie. 4th November 1695.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Third son of Mungo Buchanan of Tillichewan,
Dumbartonshire. Died 3d April 1710. Mar. 22d January 1687, Anna Barclay.
BUCHANAN, WILLIAM, of Ardoch. 23d November 1802.
Apprentice to (1) George Johnston ; and (2) Frederick Fotheringham. — Son of
Thomas Buchanan of Ardoch, Hatter in Glasgow. Born 1777. Died 1864.
Mar. 14th September 1803, Hon. Elizabeth Murray, daughter of Alexander,
seventh Lord Elibank. Art Critic, and Author of Memmrs of Fainting.
BUDGE, JAMES. 7th June 1722.
Third son of Donald Budge of Toftingall, Caithness. Died before 1750.
BUDGE, WILLIAM, of Toftingall. 21st August 1745.
Apprentice to James Budge.— Son of David Budge, tutor of Toftingall. Died
28th September 1765. Mar. Katherine, third daughter of Alexander Sinclair of
Olrig, Caithness.
BUIK, PATRICK REID. 26th October 1888.
Apprentice to T. E. 0. Home, Thomas Home, and David Lyell.— Son of Major
John Henry Buik, Pulteneytown. Born 21st September 1863.
BURD, MELVILLE. 28th Febraary 1811.
Apprentice to John Campbell terliiis. — Son of Melville Burd, Fanner in Dalkeith.
Died 5th September 1829, aged 45.
BURN, GEORGE. 17th March 1864.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of James Burn, W.S. Born 16th August
1828. Died 19th September 1878, unmarried.
BURN, HENRY JOHN. 4th July 1823.
Apprentice to (1) John B. Brodie and (2) Michael Linning. — Son of Robert
Burn, Architect in Edinburgh. Born 7th April 1798. DM 10th January 1867.
Ma/r. 10th June 1845, Charlotte Barbara, youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Kirk-
patrick of Closeburn, Bai't.
LIST OF MEMBEES. 29
BURN, JAMES. 23d June 1817.
Apprentice to Robert Hill. — Son of George Burn, Factor to Henry Glassford
at Netherwood. Died 24th November 1863, aged 70. Mar. 6th August 1827,
Margaret, daughter of James Heugh of Gartcows.
BURN, ROBERT. 29th May 1818.
Apprentice to James Forman. — Only son of David Burn, one of the Teachers of
the Grammar School, Stirling. Died 16th January 1861, aged 71.
BURNESS, JAMES. 11th July 1867.
Apprentice to Thomas G. Mackay and Alexander Howe. — Son of Robert Burness,
"Writer in Montrose. Born 2d November 1840. Mar. 26th April 1872, Henrietta,
daughter of William Ronaldson, Edinburgh.
BURNET, GAVIN. 12th August 1633.
Apprentice to Andrew Hay. — Youngest son of William Burnet of Barns,
Peeblesshire. Died October 1660. Mar. Helen Ramsay.
BURNET, ROBERT. 21st December 1671.
Apprentice to John Trotter. — Eldest son of Gavin Burnet, W.S. Died before
1721. ifar. Elizabeth Cockbum. Commissary of Peebles.
BURNETT, ANDREW, of Kirkhill. 21st December 1730.
Youngest son of Thomas Burnett of Kirkhill, Advocate, Regent of Marischal
College, Aberdeen.— £om 1709. Died 20th August 1776. Mar. April 1767,
Ann Burnett of Burnetfield.
BURNETT, ALEXANDER EDWIN. 24th March 1873.
Apprentice to Archibald Watson Goldie. — Third son of Sir James Horn Burnett
of Leys, Bart., W.S. Born 17th December 1842.
BURNETT, SIR JAMES HORN, of Leys, Bart. 9th July 1824.
Apprentice to John Morison. — Fifth son of Sir Robert Burnett of Leys, Bart.
Born 21st June 1801. Died 16th September 1876. Mar. (1) 3d February 1831,
Caroline Margaret, daughter of Charles Spearman of Thornley Hall, Durham;
and (2) 12th July 1837, his cousin Lauderdale, daughter of Sir Alexander Ramsay
of Balmain, Bart., and widow of David Duncan of Rosemount, Forfarshire.
BURNETT, ROBERT. 7th June 1821.
Apprentice to (1) James Gibson; and (2) William Gardner.— Son of William
Burnett, Factor at Crathes to Sir Robert Burnett of Leys. Died 9th August
1828.
BURNS, ALEXANDER. 9th March 1813.
Apprentice to Archibald Terrier. — Seventh surviving son of John Bums, Surveyor
of Customs at Bo'ness. Died 14th October 1832, aged 45, unmarried.
'80 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
BURNS, THOMAS, of Longcroft. 22d February 1793.
Apprentice to Walter Scott. — Youngest son of James Bums of Glenfour. Died
December 1858, aged 88. Mar. Anne Reoch.
BURNS, THOMAS CHARLES. 22d June 1837.
Apprentice to John Archibald Campbell. — Only son of Thomas Burns, W.S.
Boi-n 7th January 1814. Died 1848. Mar. 20th April 1837, Jane, only daughter
of John Livingston Campbell of Achalader, Argyllshire.
BURNSIDE, JAMES. 22d November 1821.
Apprentice to William Drysdale. — Son of John Bumside, Merchant in Glasgow.
Died 12th August 1854, aged 60, unmarried.
BUTTER, JAMES. 23d June 1817.
Apprentice to William Drysdale. — Son of Thomas Butter of Craigbea. Died
29th August 1824.
CADDELL, WILLIAM, of Fossochie. 22d September 1713.
Died 3d November 1724. Clerk, 21st January 1711.
CADELL, LEWIS IRVING. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, Harry Cheyne, and John Kermack.— Son of
Henry Cadell of Grange and Banton. Born 8th December 1865.
CADELL, WILLIAM, of Banton. 6th June 1833.
Apprentice to Alexander Young.— Eldest son of James John Cadell of Grange,
Linlithgowshire. B(yrn 8th October 1810. Died 4th May 1862. Mar. 16th
August 1847, Mary Robinson, daughter of John Rodford, Edinburgh.
CAIRNS, HENRY. 6th July 1854.
Apprentice to Walter JoUie. — Son of Geoi'ge Cairns, Solicitor at Law. Bm-n
21st June 1831. Mar. 23d September 1879, Jane Stewart, daughter of Alexander
Morton, Banker, Edinburgh.
CAIRNS, JOHN BOYD. 14th July 1853.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Eldest son of John Caims, Writer in Edinburgh.
B<yrn 12th August 1827.
CALVERT, JOHN RUTHERFORD. 4th June 1829.
Apprentice to Thomas Mackenzie. — Son of James Calvert, Teacher in the Academy
of Montrose. Died 12th December 1854, aged 50, unmarried.
CAMERON, ALEXANDER. 8th March 1838.
Apprentice to David Brown. — Son of Allan Cameron, Engraver in Edinburgh.
B(yrn 26th March 1803. Died at Melbourne 31st March 1841. Mar. Aune
Watson.
LIST OF MEMBERS 31
CAMERON, Sir DUNCAN, of Fassiefkrn, Bart. 12th August 1799.
Apprentice to James Fraser. — Second son of Sir Ewen Cameron of Fassieferu,
Argyllshire, Bart. Born 1770. Died 15th January 1863, unmarried. Succeeded
his father as second Baronet, October 1828.
CAMERON, RALPH COMPTON. 13th July 1887.
Apprentice to David Wardlaw. — Son of Alexander Cameron of Mainhouse, Elgin-
shire. Bom 2d September 1861.
CAMPBELL, ALEXANDER. 8th July 1796.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Second son of Sir Hay Campbell of Succoth, Bart.,
Lord President of the Court of Session. Died 26th October 1 799, unmarried.
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD. 22d July 1720.
Apprentice to Ronald Campbell. — Eldest son of John Campbell, W.S. Died
December 1727. Mar. (1) April 1710, Jean, daughter of George Alexander of
Peppermiln, Advocate ; and (2) Helen, daughter of John Ayton of Kinaldie.
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD, of Succoth. 5th February 1728.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Second son of William Campbell of Succoth, .
Dumbartonshire. Died 28th. July 1790. Mar. February 1732, Helen, daughter of
John Wallace of Elderslie. Commissary of Glasgow. Deputy Keeper of the
Great Seal. Principal Clerk of Session, 2d March 1770 to 4th March 1785.
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD. 19th June 1812.
Apprentice to John Campbell, Junr. — Son of William Campbell of Duneaves,
Perthshke. Died 28th January 1823.
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD BROWN. 13th January 1890.
Apprentice to James Mylne.— Son of John Campbell, S.S.C. Born 23d September
1865.
CAMPBELL, ARTHUR, of Catrine. 23d November 1813.
Apprentice to John Hunter. — Fourth son of Arthur Campbell of Auchmannoch,
Ayrshire. Born 15th July 1788. Died 3d March 1875. Mar. 31,st August 1825,
Jane, daughter of Thomas Barstow, of Kelso. , . . ,
CAMPBELL, ARTHUR, of Catrine. 14th November 1850.
Apprentice to (1) W. 0. Balderston, J. Scott, and W. Brand ; and (2) John Scott.
—Son of Arthur Campbell of Catrine, W.S. Bom 27th December 1827. Died
8th July 1884. Mar. 26th December 1851, Cecilia, third daughter of George
Cleghorn of Weens, Roxburghshire, W.S.
CAMPBELL, COLIN, of Caewhin. 9th February 1686.
Apprentice to George Dallas. — Third son of Colin Campbell of Mochaster, Perth-
shire. Bom 18th December 1652. Died 31st January 1715, unmarried.
9lt THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
CAMPBELL, DAVID, of Belmont. 1st December 1755.
Apprentice to Alexander Eobertson. — Second son of John Campbell of Barcaldine,
Argyllshire. 3Iar. March 1756, Jean, daughter of Archibald Campbell, Edinburgh.
Resigned his Commission 14th March 1775.
CAMPBELL, DAVID. 8th June 1826.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Third son of Archibald Campbell of Askomell,
Argyllshire. Died 24th December 1848, aged 58. Mar. 16th December 1819,
Agnes, youngest daughter of Alexander Pollock of Whitehill. Captain in 94th
Regiment previous to admission.
CAMPBELL, GEORGE, of Condorrat. 18th January 1886.
Apprentice to (1) A. F. Adam and W. C. MacEwen; (2) Arthur Campbell; and
(3) A. H. Cooper. — Second son of Arthur Campbell of Catrine, W.S. Born 18th
December 1862.
CAMPBELL, GEORGE MUIR. 16th January 1798.
Apprentice to (1) William Campbell and (2) Hugh Corrie.— Third son of William
Campbell of Crawfordton, W.S. Born 1773. Died 20th January 1836. Mar.
Agnes, daughter of Fergusson, Writer in Wigtown.
CAMPBELL, JAMES, of Gaenock. 3rd March 1629.
Apprentice to William Cunningham. — Son of Hugh Campbell of HuUerhurst,
Ayrshire. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
CAMPBELL, JAMES. 14th June 1791.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Second son of Farquhar Campbell of Laggan-
lochan, Writer in Islay. Died 6th December 1805. Mar. Jean, daughter of John
Moubray, Wright and Builder in Edinburgh.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, of Succoth. 4th June 1674.
Apprentice to Richard Guthrie. — Son of William Campbell of Succoth, Dumbar-
tonshire. Mar. (1) Janet Hamilton ; and (2) Agnes, youngest daughter of
William Stirling of Law, Dumbartonshire. Died about 1694. M.P. for Argyll-
shire, 1681-82.
CAMPBELL, JOHN. 14th December 1691.
Apprentice to George Dallas. — Son of Captain John Campbell, younger son of
Sir John Campbell of Calder. Died April 1699. Mar. Elizabeth Campbell.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, of The Citadel. 19th July 1779.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Eldest son of John Campbell, first Cashier of the
Royal Bank. Bwn 20th December 1753. Died at Geneva 11th August 1829.
Mar. (1) 18th November 1779, Helen, daughter of John Callander of Craigforth ;
(2) 8th January 1787, Margaret, daughter of John Campbell of Clathick; and (3)
6th August 1801, Sophia, daughter of Duncan Stewart of Ardshiel, Argyllshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 38
CAMPBELL, JOHN. 24th November 1785.
Apprentice to Colquhoun Grant. — Eldest son of John Campbell, Collector of
Excise for the district of Inverness. Died 14th February 1821.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, ov Annfield. 24th January 1792.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Son of John Campbell of Annfield, Writer in
Stirling. Died 9th January 1855, aged 84. Mm: 29th December 1794, Frances,
youngest daughter of John Brown, Merchant, Glasgow.
CAMPBELL, JOHN KIRKPATRICK, or Glenfeochan. 25th November 179G.
Apprentice to John Campbell, Junr. — Son of Archibald Campbell of Jura,
Argyllshire. Died 28th April 1826. Mar. 29th July 1817, Mary Kirkpatrick,
only daughter of Alexander Campbell, of the island of Tobago.
CAMPBELL, JOHN ARCHIBALD. 22d February 1813.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan and John Campbell. — Eldest son of John
Campbell of The Citadel, W.S. Born 1788. Died 7th September 1866. Mar.
10th October 1822, Emma, daughter of Thomas Peter Legh, of Lyme, Chester.
Sheriff-Clerk of Mid-Lothian, 1843-60.
CAMPBELL, ORD GRAHAM. 15th November 1838.
Apprentice to Andrew Tawse. — Youngest son of Archibald Graham Campbell of
Shirvain, Argyllshire. Born 11th September 1816. Died 7th June 1890. Mar.
15th June 1858, Jeanette Ritchie, daughter of William Wallace of Busby.
CAMPBELL, PATRICK, of Queenshill. 8th March 1791.
Apprentice to William Campbell, his luiclc. — Eldest son of William Campbell of
Queenshill. Born 1764. Died 11th December 1836. Mar. 10th April 1800, Jane,
eldest surviving daughter of David Maitland of Barcaple, Kirkcudbrightshire.
CAMPBELL, PATRICK WILLIAM. 20th October 1875.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Craigie Bell; and (2) James Mylne, Senior.— Eldest
son of David Campbell, Mounthamilton, and Manager of the Royal Bank of
Scotland, Ayr. Born 21st November 1850. Mar. 18th April 1883, Mary
* Walker, eldest daughter of John Fergusson Cathcart, Merchant, Leith.
CAMPBELL, RICHARD, of Helentonmains and Auchenbreok. 3d March 1818.
Apprentice to Robert Cathcart. — Fourth son of Richard Campbell of Helenton-
mains, Ayrshire. Di^ 27th July 1853, aged 59. Mar. 8th August 1834, Ann
Glass, daughter of Archibald Douglas, Clangregor Castle.
CAMPBELL, ROBERT, of Balvie. 25th November 1701.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Brother of John Campbell of Gon-ie. Died
February 1716. Mar. (1) June 1702, Anna, daughter of John Campbell of
SuccolJi; and (2) before 1713, Anna, second daughter of William Colquhoun of
Craigton, Dumbartonshire. Fiscal, 1703-10.
£
d4 THE SOCIETY OE WElTEliS TO THE SIGNET
CAMPBELL, ROBERT, ok Sonachan. 21st May 1805.
Apprentice to H. M'D. Buchanan. — Eldest sou of Donald Campbell of Sonachan,
Argyllshire. Bom 29th December 1779. Died 13th June 1877. Mar. 16th
June 1816, Susan, only daughter of David Campbell of Combie, Argyllshire.
CAMPBELL, RONALD, of Balerno. 15th August 1695.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Succoth. Died 30th August 1726. Mar. 25th
March 1697, Margaret, daughter of James Hamilton of Hetherrick, East-Lothian.
Deputy Keeper of the Signet, 1725-1726.
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM, or Crawfordton. 4th August 1777.
Apprentice to George Muir, his luicle. — Eldest son of Dr. Patrick Campbell,
Physician in Wigtown. I}ied 6th May 1794. Mar. (1) Miss M'Murdo; and (2)
' 14th May 1793, Lydia, daughter of the liev. John CoUow, Minister of Penpont.
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM. 8th July 1800.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Second son of Sir James Campbell of
Aberuchil, Bart. Bom 1776. Died 28th April 1849. Mar. (1) oth January
1804, Eliza, daughter of \A'illiani Hunter of Glenormiston ; and (2) 25th October
1820, Jane, second daughter of Hugh Cleghoni of Stravithie, Fifeshire.
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM, of Queenshill. 29th June 1826.
Apprentice to James Dundas. ^Eldest son of Patrick Campbell of Queenshill,
W.S. Bunt 15tli February 1801. Dkd 8th October 1863, unmarried.
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM BOWIE STEWART, of Cloiohfoldich. 4th March 1826.
Apprentice to John Bowie. — Sou of Major Alexander Campbell of Glenfalloch.
Barn 1803. Died 11th June 1847. Afar. (1) 16th March 1830, Sarah Priscilla,
only daughter of J. Feamside, London; and (2) 5th April 1838, Janet W.
Maxwell, only child of Robert Stewart of Cloichfoldich, Perthshire.
CANNAN, HORATIUS, of Barlay. 18th November 1784.
Apprentice to Robert Boswell. Only son of John Cannan of Barlay, Kirkcud-
brightshire. Dkd 17th April 1825, aged 68. Mar.
CANNAN, HORATIUS. 17th November 1825.
Apprentice to, and third son of, Horatius Cannan, W.S. Died 18th February
1843, aged 55, unmarried.
CAR6ILL, JAMES. 18tli November 1784.
Apprentice to James Stewart. — Son of Walter Cargill, Merchant in Dunkeld.
Mar. , daughter of William Jamiesou, Architect in Edinburgh. Resigned his
Commission 23d March 1795.
CARGILL, ROBERT. 10th July 1812.
Apprentice to Hugh Watson. — Son of James Cargill, W.S. Z>j«rf 21st February
1867.
LIST OF MEMBERS 35
CARMICHAEL, ALEXANDER. 13th April 1650.
Died June 1658. Mar. Judith Nairne.
CARMICHAEL, ARCHIBALD. 23d December 1723.
Apprentice to William Kelso. — Died April 1743.
CARMICHAEL, JAMES, of Hailes. 30th June 1741.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville. — Second son of the Hon. William Carniichael of
Skirling, Advocate. Died 12th January 1781. Mar. 16th April 1750, Jenny,
youngest daughter of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, Bart.
CARNEGIE, JAMES. 16th August 1665.
Apprentice to James Allane. — Son of Robert Carnegie of Newgate, Forfarshire.
CARNEGIE, JAMES, of Edrom Nkwton. 22d December 1825.
Apprentice to Francis Walker. — Son of John Carnegie, tenant in Hailes. Born
1799. Died 23d April 1883, unmarried.
CARNEGIE, ROBERT. 11th March 1670.
Apprentice to James Allane. — Son o Sir Alexander Carnegie of Pittarrow, Bart.
Died September 1670.
CARNEGY, JAMES.
See Gardyne, James Carnegy.
CARSTAIRS, ROBERT, of Radernie. 9th December 1687.
Apprentice to William Hamilton. — Son of John Carstairs of Ca.ssingray, Fife-
shire. Born 1645. Died August 1705. Mar. 1679, E.sther, daughter of
Thomas Mills of Millhouse, Stafford.
CASS, JOHN. 22d December 1610.
Mar. 17tl) August 1603, Christian, daughter of William Kellie, W.S.
CASS, RICHARD, of Fordell.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. — Son of Robert Cass of Fordell, Mid-Lothian.
Died 3d February 1632.
CASSELLS, ALEXANDER. lOth June 1830.
Apprentice to James and Charles Nairne.— Fourth son of John Cassells of
Arnprior, Perthshire. Born 1808. Died 10th March 1875. Mar. 25th October
1838, Catherine, daughter of John Walker, Bellsbank, Dalmellington.
CATHCART, DANIEL. 29th December 1658.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace, Richard Guthrie, and Hugh Paterson. Son
of William Cathcart of Watorheid, Ayrshire. Warrant to pay his funeral
expenses, 23d November 1686. Re-admitted 13tli January 1662.
CATHCART, DAVID. 16th May 1822.
Apprentice to George Russell. — Third son of David Cathcart of Auchendrane,
Ayrshire, Lord Alloway, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Born 2d
December 1798. Died 1st January 1867, unmarried.
^ THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
CATHCAET, ROBERT, of Drum. 25th November 1796.
Apprentice to (1) Andrew Mackenzie; and (2) Kenneth Mackenzie. — Younger
son of Robert Cathcart of Genoch. Barn 22d June 1773. Died 18th November
1812. Mar. 16th October 1797, Anne, daughter of John Cadell of Cockenzie.
CATHCART, ROBERT ALFRED. 13th November 1849.
Apprentice to Thomas Macpherson Grant. — Eldest son of Elias Cathcart of
Aucliendrane. Born 3d February 1825. Died 15th February 1855, unmarried.
CAUVIN, JOSEPH. 24th November 1785.
Apprentice to William Aytoun. — Eldest son of Louis Cauvin, Teacher of French
in Edinburgh. Died 23d November 1815. Mar. 20tli April 1787, Ester, only
daughter of Dr. Henry Cunningham.
CAY, JOHN. 3d July 1851.
Apprentice to James Gillespie Davidson. — Eldest son of John Cay, Advocate.
Born 13th July 1820. Mar. 21st July 1857, Geddes Elizabeth, youngest daughter
of Thomas Mackenzie of Applecross, Ross-shire.
CAY, ROBERT DUNDAS. 7th March 1833.
Apprentice to David Welsh. — Youngest son of Robert Hodshon Cay, of North
Charlton, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty. Born 20th August 1807.
Died 19th March 1888. Mar. 29th October 1835, Isabella, fourth daughter of
William Dyce, of Cuttlehill, Aberdeenshire, M.D. Registrar of Supreme Court,
Hong-Kong, 1844-55.
CHALMER, JOHN MUIR, of Gadgirth. 7th January 1756.
Apprentice to John Macfarlane. — Son of John Muir of Ayr, and nephew of John
Chalmer of Gadgirth. Born 24th July 1726. Died 5th May 1774. Mar.
Elizabeth Farquhar, of Edinburgh. Assumed name of Chalmer 1764.
CHALMER, WILLIAM. 3d December 1636.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Son of George Chalmer of Auldquhat. Ditd
January 1668. Mar. (1) daughter of Daniel Melville, W.S. ; and (2) 13th Mity
1661, Isobell Garvie. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
CHALMERS, ALEXANDER HENDERSON. 6th July 1854.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and John Logan. — Son of Charles
Chalmers of Monkshill, Advocate in Aberdeen. Bm-n 30th September 1830.
Died 6th November 1871. Mar. 27th October 1870, Meylia Jessie Marjory
Williamson, eldest daughter of Patrick Sinclair Laing, Deputy Inspector-General
of Hospitals, Elgin.
CHALMERS, CHARLES, of Portlethin. 20th October 1704.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Second son of Mr. James Chalmers, Professor of
Philosophy in the Marischal College of Aberdeen ; killed fighting for King James
at Sheriffmuir, 13th November 1715. Mar. (1) Jean, daughter of Alexander Boog
of Burnhouses, Berwickshire; and (2) Helen, daughter of Alexander Young, Bishop
of Edinburgh. Captain in the Scots Guards, but sold his Commission, 1714.
LIST OF MEMBERS SI
CHALMERS, GEORGE. 3d October 1723.
Apprentice to Thomas Gibson. — JDied 9th December 1758. Mar. October 1729,
Elizabeth, daughter of Colin Arthui- of Ballein.
CHALMERS, JAMES. 25th June 1764.
Apprentice to (1) Alexander Tait; and (2) John Mackenzie. — Son of Andrew
Chalmers, Writer in Edinburgh. Died 20th November 1830, aged 89. Mar.
CHALMERS, JAMES HAY. 26th June 1856.
Apprentice to Archibald Watson Goldie. — Son of Rev. Peter Chalmers, Minister
of the First Charge, Dunfermline. Bmii 10th January 1829. Bkd 21st June
1860. Mar. 23d August 1859, Marion Morrison, elder daughter of Alexander
Hay of Hardengreen, Mid-Lothian, W.S.
CHALMERS, JOHN. 10th March 1813.
Apprentice to Bain Whyt. — Eldest son of Thomas Chalmers, Locksmith in
Potterrow. Born 1784. Died 18th March 1833, unmarried.
CHALMERS, THOMAS. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to J. W. Young and John Blair. — Younger son of Thomas Chalmers
of Longcroft, Linlithgowshire. Born 10th January 1863.
CHANCELLOR, EDWARD. 26th June 1856.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and A. M. Bell. — Fifth son of
Alexander Chancellor of Shieldhill, Lanarkshire. Born 22d September 1828.
Mar. 17th April 1866, Ann Helen, only daughter of John Robert Tod, W.S.
CHANCELLOR, GEORGE. 17th July 1851.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton. — Third son of Alexander Chancellor of
Shieldhill. Born 7th September 1825. Died 4th April 1875. 3far. 20th June
1861, Katherine Elizabeth, youngest daughter of George Skene of Rubislaw.
CHAPLANE, ALEXANDER, of Colliston. 13th January 1673.
Apprentice to James Cheyne. — Eldest son of Robert Chaplane, Town-Clerk
Depute, Dundee. Died A\ml 1695. Mar. (1) Agnes Smyth ; and (2) Magdalene,
daughter of Henry Killoch. Fiscal, 1683-4.
CHARTERIS, HENRY. 29th July 1633.
Apprentice to James Stratoun. — Son of Henry Charteris, Primar of Edinburgh
College. Died October 1641. Mar. 14th November 1632, Mawsia Henrieson,
niece of Charles Hamilton, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh.
CHARTERIS, JAMES. 5th September 1671.
Apprentice to John Alexander, elder. — Son of William Charteris of Auchin
strowan.
CHARTERS, WILLIAM. 23d November 1656.
Apprentice to Quintine Kennedy. — Died about 1677. Mar. Isobel Kennedy.
Re-admitted 11th April 1661.
99 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
CHEYNE, HAREY, of Girlesta. IDth March 1868.
Apprentice to, and son of, Henry Cheyne, W.S. — Bom 2d March 1845. Mar.
20th July 1876, Dora, daughter of George Todd Chiene, C.A. Edinburgh.
CHEYNE, HENRY. 19th November 1829.
Apprentice to Joseph Gordon. — Eldest son of John Cheyne of Tangwick, Shet-
land. Bom 24th August 1804. Died 27th February 1868. Mar. 7th May
1840, Barbara, eldest daughter of William Hay of Laxfirth, Shetland. Clerk to
the Admission of Notaries, 1855-68.
CHEYNE, JAMES. 8th March 1642.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Son of Walter Cheyne in Tillibin. Re-admitted
21st November 1661.
CHEYNE, JAMES. 12th September 1706.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Died 8th April 1729. Mar. (1) September 1713,
Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Charles Maitland of Pitrichie, Aberdeenshire ; and
(2) November 1724, Barbara, daughter of Robert Ross of Achlossan, Aberdeen-
shire, and widow of Captain Francis Forbes.
CHEYNE, JAMES AUCHINLECK, of Oxendean and Kilmaron. 3d March 1818.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Cathcart; and (2) John Kermack. — Son of Ninian
Richard Cheyne, Bookseller in Edinburgh. Died 21st June 1853, aged 58. Mar.
(1) 16th August 1821, Margaret Blair, daughter of Andrew M'Kean, Edinburgh;
and (2) 29th April 1834, Frances Charlton, daughter of James Sprott, of Chitta-
gong, Bengal.
CHIESLEY, JOHN. 20th August 1697.
Apprentice to John Knox. — Grandson of Walter Chiesley of Dairy. Deprived of
his Commission 24th December 1707, for repeated contraventions of the Acts.
CHIESLIE, WILLIAM, of Cockburn. 4th August 1662.
Apprentice to John Semple.^ — Son of John Chieslie, Minister at Quodquen, in the
Sheriffdom of Lanark. Died 13th February 1704, aged 70. Mar. Agnes, daughter
of Samuel Rutherfurd, Principal of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews.
CHILD, WILLIAM ARUNDALE. 18th November 1825.
Apprentice to (1) Archibald Crauford ; and (2) James Dunlop. — Son of William
Child of Glencorse, Merchant in Edinburgh. Died at Tobago, 20th October 1861,
aged 58. Mar. 21st February 1856, Amelia White. Stipendiary Magistrate of
island of Tobago.
CHRISTIAN, JAMES. 12th February 1829.
Apprentice to George Hogarth. — Son of Peter Christian, Writer in Stonehaven.
Born 1801. Died 11th August 1876. Mar. 8th July 1839, Robina, youngest
daughter of Robert Renton, Edinburgh. Sheriff-Clerk of Kincardineshire.
1861-76,
LIST OF MEMBERS ' 39
CHRISTIE, JAMES, of Whythouse. 30th December 1647.
Apprentice to Robert Kirkwood. — ^Nephew of David Christie of Over Stentou,
Dieil November 1670. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
CHRISTIE, JOHN COCKBURN. 8th February 1838.
Apprentice to George Turnbull.— Sou of David Christie, Writer in Edinburgh.
Bom 29th April 1812. Died 29th August 1880. Mar. October 1842, his cousin,
Helen, daughter of Hector Christie of Lentou, Nottingham. Keeper of the
Register of Deeds, etc., 1869-73. Deputy-Keeper of the Records, 1873-80.
CHRISTIE, ROBERT LINDSAY BRUCE STAIiK. 11th December 1856.
Apprentice to Charles Morton. — Second son of Robert Stark Christie of Teasses,
Fiie. J5ww 18th December 1832. i>ie<i 27th December 1889. Mar. 25th November
1868, Julianne Cockburn, daughter of Captain Alexander Scott, 7 2d Regiment.
CHRISTIE, WALTER CROSS BUCHANAN. 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to Charles Morton and John Neilson. — Elder son of Thomas Craig
Christie of Bedlay and Petershill, Lanarkshire. Born 5th December 1862.
CHRISTISON, JOHN. 25th November 1858.
Apprentice to James Hope, Robert Oliphant, and Robert Macka3\ — Son of Sir
Robert Christison, Bart., M.D. Born 14th October 1832.
CLAPPERTON, GEORGE. 12th December 1793.
Apprentice to William Aytoun. — Son of William Clapperton, Merchant in Edin-
burgh. Died 1st August 1814.
CLAPPERTON, THOMAS. 2d November 1881.
Apprentice to W. Traquair, W. T. Dickson, and T. S. MacLaren. — Son of John
Clapperton, Merchant in Gorebridge. Born 15th September 1857.
CLARK, GEORGE BENNET. 30th May 1878.
Apprentice to J. B. Innes and John and Charles B. Logan. — Son of William
Bennet Clark, Advocate. Bm-n 8th May 1863. Mar. 28th December 1882,
Harriet Sophia, daughter of Dr. Martin, Edinburgh.
CLARK, JOHN. 29th July 1695.
Apprentice to Robert Bell. — Mar. Janet Paterson.
CLARK, WILLIAM. 7th July 1803.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Eldest son of David Clark, Merchant in Edin-
burgh. Died 8th November 1863, aged 84. Mar. 29th August 1814, Margaret,
daughter of the Rev. William Bennet, minister of Duddingston. Sheriff-
Substitute of Clackmannanshire, 1832-52.
CLARK, WILLIAM MORTIMER. 17th February 1859.
Apprentice to John Scott. — Son of John Clark, Manager of the Aberdeen Insur-
ance Company. Bm-n 24th May 1836. Mar. 22d November 1866, Helen, daughter
of Gilbert Gordon, Peterborough. Called to Bar of Ontario 1867. Chairman,
Knox College ; and Member of Senate, University of Toronto. Q.C. 1890.
40 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
CLARKE, ALLAN, of Woodside. 29th June 1759.
Apprentice to Andrew Wallace.— Son of William Clarke, Merchant in Linlithgow.
Died 8th January 1810.
CLASON, ANDREW, of Hallyards. 5th December 1811.
Apprentice to Sir William Drysdale.— Son of the Rev. Robert Clason, Minister of
Logie. Born 26th April 1787. Died 23d September 1850, unmairied.
CLEGHORN, DAVID. 8th July 1800.
Apprentice to Charles Bremner.— Son of Thomas Cleghorn, Inspector-General of
Imports and Exports for Scotland. Boi-n 13th November 1775. Died 24th
October 1840, immarried. Crown Agent, 1833-35, 1837-40.
CLEGHORN, GEORGE, of Weens. 6th December 1804.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Second son of Thomas Cleghorn, Coach-
maker in Edinburgh. Bmn 1780. Died 7th July 1855. Mar. 5th February
1822, Marion Catherine, third daughter of John Dalton of Sleningford 'Park,
Yorks. Author of Remarks on Ancient and Modern Art, 1837.
CLEPHANE, HENRY. 30th January 1798.
Apprentice to William Lumsdaine. — Fifth son of George Clephane of Carslogie,
Fifeshire. Died 1 8th October 1818.
CLERK, MALCOLM HENRY. 20th April 1877.
Apprentice to J. M. Lindsay, Alexander Howe, and William Macgillivray. — Third
son of John Clerk, Q.C. Born 14th May 1853. Died in Ceylon 11th May 1890,
unmarried.
COCKBURN, GEORGE. 8th December 1697.
Apprentice to Laurence Oliphant. — Son of James Cockbum, Provost of
Haddington. Mar. Elizabeth Wallace.
COCKBURN, THOMAS, of Rowchestek. 18th January 1749.
Apprentice to (1) James Home; and (2) Andrew Wallace. — Third son of David
Cockbum, Bailie of Langton, Berwickshire. Bmn 1723. Died 13th July 1787.
Mar. December 1752, Agnes, only child of John Scott of Belford. Deputy-
Keeper of the Great Seal.
COLDSTREAM, JOHN PHILIPS. 14th November 1866.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Blair Maconochie and W. J. Menzies; and (2) R. B.
Maconochie.— Second son of John Coldstream, M.D., Edinburgh. Bom 6th June
1842. Mar. 25th April 1871, Emily, second daughter of George Rawson, Lanes-
field, Bristol, and widow of James Henderson, M.D., Shanghai. Assistant Clerk
of Session, 1872-86. Author of Procedure in ilie Court of Session, 1878.
COLQUHOUN, GEORGE, of Balhartie. Ist February 1664.
Apprentice to George Cruickshank. — Died about 1691. Mar. (1) 5th December
1657, Christian Watson; and (2) 12th July 1667, Isobel Henderson,
LIST OF MEMBERS 41
COLQUHOUN, JAMES. 17th March 1797.
Apprentice to William Blair. — Son of Robert Colquhour,, Farmer at Touch.
Died 29th June 1797.
COLQUHOUN, WILLIAM DALZELL, of Garscadden. 9th July 1789.
Apprentice to David Erskin. — Son of David Dalzell, Merchant in Glasgow. Died
28th January 180G. Mar. I6th December 1801, Elizabeth Glen, youngest daughter
of Sir Hay Campbell of Succoth, Bart. Assumed name of Colquhoun, 1801.
COMBE, GEORGE. ' 31st January 1812.
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas. — Third son of George Combe, Brewer in
Edinburgh. Bmn 21st October 1788. Died Uth August 1858. Mar. 25th
September 1833, Cecilia, daughter of Mrs. Siddons, Tragedian. Author of the
Constitution of Man, and other works on Phrenology.
COMRIE, PATRICK. 8th March 1704.
Resigned his Commission 27th June 1751.
CONNELL, ARCHIBALD. 28th June 1821.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Second son of John Connell, Advocate. Born 1798.
Died Uth March 1843, unmarried.
CONNELL, JAMES, of Conheath. 18th June 1829.
Apprentice to John and Walter Fcrrier. — Only son of James Connell of Conheath,
Dumfriesshire. Born 1805. Died 12th February 1876. Mar. (1) 20th April
1848, Isabella Lydia, daughter of Thomas Corrie, W.S. ; and (2) 28th April 1864,
Matilda Hay, widow of Major-General Cox.
CONSTABLE, NELSON BRIGGS. 28th January 1881.
Apprentice to (1) Henry Inghs; (2) R. W. Wallace; and (3) J. A. Trail.— Son of
William Briggs Constable of Benarty, Fife and Kinross. Bwn 24th June 1854.
COOK, CHARLES. 3d August 1876.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Cook, W.S. — Born 18th August 1850.
COOK, HENRY. 30th November 1871.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Cook, W.S. — Born 28th July 1848. Mar. 17th
June 1879, Margaret, daughter of John Patten, W.S.
COOK, JOHN.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
COOK, JOHN. 10th March 1836.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Walter Cook, W.S. — Bom 21st May 1813. Mar.
12th October 1842, Margaret Sophia, daughter of Lieut. -General Sir John Hope,
G.C.H. Collector of Widows' Fund, 1861.
F
42 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
COOK, WALTER. 18th May 1801.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Son of Rev. .Tohn Cook of Newburn, Professor of
Moral Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. Born 24th June 1776.
Died 17th February 1861. Mar. (1) 12th October 1809, Johanna, second
daughter of John Moncreiffe of Sauchopwood ; and (2) 12th June 1820, Mary,
second daughter of Alexander Chrystie of Balchrystie. Collector of Widows'
Fund, 1828-61.
COOPER, ALEXANDER HILL. 20th April 1877.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Younger son of William Cooper of Failford,
Ayrshire. Bm-n 22d January 1852. Mar. 27th Jul}- 1881, Cecilia, daughter of
Henry Ritchie Cooper of Ballindalloch, Stirlingshire.
COOPER, GEORGE. 25th June 1770.
Apprentice to Archibald Stuart. — Second son of Richard Cooper, Civil Engineer
in Edinburgh. Died 28th March 1777.
COOPER, WILLIAM, of Failford. 22d November 1832.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of Samuel Cooper of
Failford and Balhndalloch. Born 28th March 1808. Died 31st December 1880.
Mar. (1) 30th July 1835, Isabella, daughter of Robert Clark of Comrie Castle,
Perthshire; (2) 17th October 1845, Margaret, daughter of Rev. Alexander HiD,
D.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow.
CORMACK, JOHN BELL. 24th May 1827.
Apprentice to (1) James Saunders Robertson ; and (2) James Amott. — Son of
Alexander Cormack, Merchant in Newfoundland. Died 1870.
CORNWALL, THOMAS. 10th December 1829.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of James Cornwall, Commissioner of Excise.
B&rn 1803. Died 3d June 1833, unmarried.
CORRIE, HUGH, of Culloch. 3d July 1772.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Second son of James Corrie of Speddoch,
Dumfriesshire. Died 1st June 1805. Mar. September 1772, Mary, daughter of
the Rev. John Collow, Minister of Penpont.
CORRIE, THOMAS, of Steilston. 3d March 1818.
Apprentice to James Gilchrist. — Only son of Hugh Corrie, W.S. Died 15th
April 1859. Mar. 2 2d March 1814, Clementina Blair, youngest daughter of
Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Ross, 31st Regiment. Admitted Advocate 14th December
1811. Manager of British Linen Company Bank, 1828-59.
COSENS, JOHN. 14th November 1851.
Apprentice to James Shepherd and T. M. Grant — Son of the Rev. Peter Cosens,
Minister of Lauder. Bmii 15th April 1827. Died 26th November 1857,
unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBEES 4,3
COSENS, PETER HUNTER. 20th October 1890.
Apprentice to D. S. MoncriefF and J. A. Traill. — Son of the Rev. Alexander
Thomson Cosens, Minister of Broughton. Bmn 25th May 1864.
COTTON, WILLIAM. 12th April 1886.
Apprentice to George Robertson and J. H. Finlay. — Son of William Cotton,
residing in Edinburgh. Born 22d August 1863. Mar. 15th April 1889, Alice
Maud, daughter of Thomas William Rose, Ealing, Middlesex.
COUPER, ADAM, of Gogar.
Second son of James Couper of Gogar. — Died 3d December 1608. Mar. (1)
Margaret Danielstoun, of the Colgrain family ; and (2) 3d November 1607,
Elizabeth Home. Fiscal, 1596-99. Principal Clerk of Session.
COUPER, ALEXANDER, of Foulfoord.
Commissioner, 24th January 1642. — Third son of Adam Couper of Gogar, W.S.
Born 15th November 1598. Mar. (1) Catherine Cochrane, of the family of Bar-
bachlay ; and (2) 24th August 1631, Isobel Rae.
COUPER, JOHN GIBSON. 12th April 1886.
Apprentice to Robert Strathern. — Son of George Gordon Douglas Couper, resid
ing in Edinburgh. Bm-n 11th April 1861.
COUPER, PETER. 6th June 1803.
Apprentice to John Campbell, teiiius. — Son of Peter Couper, Shipmaster in
Leith. Died 1854, aged 73. Mar. 27th March 1809, Mary, eldest daughter of
Archibald Richardson, Merchant in Leith.
COUTTS, THOMAS. Ist July 1611.
Apprentice to Thomas Young. — Died 28th April 1627. Mar. Elizabeth Booge.
COVENTRY, HENRY JOHN. 17th July 1862.
Apprentice to Thomas Graham Murray. — Third son of the Rev. George Coventry
of Shanwell, Kinross-shire. Born 5th June 1834. Mar. 19th September 1867,
Mary Jane Douglas, third daughter of Michael Thomson Carmichael of Eastend.
COWAN, ALEXANDER. 1st July 1828.
Apprentice to James and Charles Nairne. — Third son of Alexander Cowan,
Papermaker at Valleyfield. Burn 9tli November 1804. Died at Bonn 11th
December 1831, aged 27. Mar. 1st September 1829, Jane Annesley, daughter of
Thomas Thompson, M.P. for Evesham.
COWAN, HUGH. 17th January 1822.
Apprentice to Alexander Hunter. — Son of William Cowan of Corsehill, Banker
in Ayr. Born 1798. Died 9th January 1835, unmarried.
44 THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
COWAN, JOHN. 28th June 1860
Apprentice to Patrick Dalmahoy. — Third son of John Cowan, Advocate, one of
the Senators of the College of Justice. Born 1 4th December 1836. Commissioner
of Lunacy for Scotland, 1881. Crown Agent, 1886. Fiscal, 20th December 1887.
COWAN, KICHARD. 6th December 1803.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Son of Robert Cowan, Merchant in Glasgow.
Bor7i 1780. Died 20th May 1837, unmarried.
COWAN, ROBERT. 14th November 1833.
Apprentice to Richard Cowan. — Son of Walter Cowan, Merchant in Leith. Bwu
1st March 1809.
COWAN, ROBERT BRUCE. 13thAprill885.
Apprentice to J. A. Jamieson, James Craik, and John W. Tod. — Son of John
Cowan, of Greenock. Born 7th January 1861.
COWIE, HENRY. 18th January 1749.
Apprentice to James Ramsay. — Eldest son of Archibald Cowie, Portioner of
Pockneive, Stirlingshire. Died before 1754.
COX, CHARLES THOMAS. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to James H. Jameson. — Son of George Addison Cox of Invertrossachs,
Perthshire. Born 8th June 1865.
COX, ROBERT, 11th July 1832.
Apprentice to George Combe. — Son of Robert Cox of Gorgie Mill, Mid-Lothian.
Born 25th February 1810. Died 3d February 1872, unmarried. Author of
Sabbath Laws and Sabbath Duties, 1853, and other works.
CRAIG, HENRY VIVIAN GIBSON-, 8th September 1870.
Apprentice to John and Henry Gordon Gibson. — Third son of Sir William Gibson-
Craig of Riccartou, Bart. Born 25th September 1847. Mar. 27th June 1882,
Emily Dulcibella, daughter of Montagu Wilmot of Norton, Swansea.
CRAIG, JAMES, of Dalnair and Costerton. 13th May 1707.
Apprentice to William Forrester. — Died 5 th August 1743. Mar. February 1708,
Magdalen, daughter of Alexander Chaplane of Colliston, Forfarshire, W.S.
CRAIG, SIR JAMES GIBSON-, of Riccarton, Bart. 21st December 1786.
Apprentice to William Anderson. — Second son of William Gibson, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Born 11th October 1765. Died 6th March 1850. Mar. 14th
September 1796, Anne, youngest daughter of James Thomson, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Assumed the name of Craig by royal licence on 30th May 1823.
Created a Baronet 30th September 1831.
CRAIG, JAMES THOMSON GIBSON-, 25th June 1824.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Sir James Gibson-Craig, Bart.— ^or« 12 th
March 1799. Died 18th July 1886. Mar. 23d November 1841, Jane, daughter
of Sir John Peter Grant of Rothiemurchus, and widow of Colonel Pennington.
LIST OF MEMBERS 45
CRAIG, JOHN MOORE. 18th December 1834.
Apprentice to ^ueas Macbean. — Son of John Craig of Prestonhohne, Merchant
in Leith. Born 11th October 1809. Died at the Cape, of Good Hope 10th
February 1845, unmarried.
CRAIG, WILLIAM. 7th March 1815.
Apprentice to James Little. — Eldest son of James Craig, Supervisor of Excise,
Ayr, and afterwards at Haddington. Died 1826. Mai: 9th December 1818,
Margaret Ann, youngest daughter of Gillean Maclean of Scalasdale.
CRAIGIE, DAVID, of Dunbarney. 9th July 1756.
Apprentice to Laurence Craigie. — Third son of Robert Craigie of Glendoick,
Perthshire, Lord President of the Court of Session. Died 17th August 1796.
Mar. Dorothea, daughter of Sir George Clerk Maxwell of Penicuik, Bart
CRAIGIE, HENRY. 7th July 1829.
Apprentice to Roger Aytoun. — Fifth son of John Craigie of Quebec. Born 1807.
Died 19th April 1867. Mar. 23d July 1839, Jessie, daughter of Alexander
Falconar of Falconhall, Edinburgh.
CRAIGIE, LAURENCE. 6th February 1744.
Apprentice to Archibald Stuart — Second son of Laurence Craigie of Kilgraston,
Perthshire, Advocate. Mar. Miss Duncan of Lundie. Resigned his Commission
15th July 1780. Died 1781.
CRAIGIE, WILLIAM CHARLES. 11th July 1771.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Junr. — Second son of Thomas Craigie, Professor
of Moral Philosophy in the University of Glasgow. Died 29th May 1790.
CRAIK, JAMES. 9th February 1871.
Apprentice to Thomas G. Murray and James A. Jamieson. — Son of Rev. James
Craik, D.D., Glasgow. Born 13th March 1841. Mar. 12th November 1872,
Gertrude Honora, daughter of Joseph Bowstead of Hyde House, Gloucestershire.
Deputy Keeper of the Privy Seal, 1874.
CRANSTON, THOMAS, ov Dewak. 1st August 1786.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Senr. — Eldest son of George Cranston of Dewar,
Mid-Lothian. Born 1760. Died 21st October 1836, unmarried.
CRAUFORD, ARCHIBALD. 20th May 1794.
Apprentice to John Russell, Junr. — Son of James Crauford, Writer in Ayr.
Died 28th September 1806.
CRAUFUIRD, ARCHIBALD, of Ardmillan. 10th March 1803.
Apprentice to Alexander Young.— Eldest son of Archibald Craufuird of Ardmillan,
Ayrshire. Died 16th May 1824. Mar. 4th November 1802, Jiis cousin, Margaret
d'Albojuf, daughter of Thomas Craufuird of Ardmillan.
m THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
CRAW, JOHN. 7th July 1795.
Apprentice to John Taylor. — Son of John Craw, Writer in Haddington. Died
23d March 1816, aged 44. Buried in Holyrood Abbey. Mar. Margaret, daughter
of John Hardie, Brewer, St. Ann's Yard, Edinburgh. Bailie of Holyrood.
CRAWFORD, ALEXANDER. 16th December 1830.
Apprentice to William Patrick.— Son of William Crawford, Professor of Moral
Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. Born 1801. Died 12th March
1838. Mar. 6th October 1834, Jane Brown, daughter of Archibald Douglas,
Advocate.
CRAWFORD, HEW, of Jokdanhill. 14th December 1716.
Apprentice to Robert Campbell. — Eldest son of James Crawford of Jordanhill,
Renfrewshire. Died 21st February 1756. Mar. Mary, daughter of Mr. James
Greenshiels, Rector of Fiunough, Tipperary. Writer to the Prince of Wales.
CRAWFORD, JAMES. 9th August 1770.
Apprentice to (1) Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan ; and (2) William Eraser.
— Second son of Hugh Crawford of Raisleygate. Mar. Catherine Brown. Died
18th April 1783.
CRAWFORD, JAMES. 10th March 1819.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Second son of Hugh Crawford of Brownmuir,
Writer in Greenock. Died 17th November 1868, aged 70. Mar. 22d July 1819,
Eliza Harvey Bell.
CRAWFORD, JAMES. 27th June 1833.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of Alexander Crawford,
tenant in Rhodes, near North Berwick. Bwn 17th December 1808. Died 17th
November 1863. Mar. (1) 25th August 1846, Euphemia, daughter of Andrew
Somerville, Luffness; and (2) 25th November 1856, Jane Watt, daughter of
Robert Davidson, H.E.I.C.S.
CRAWFORD, RONALD, of Restalrig. 7th March 1732.
Apprentice to (1) John Mein ; and (2) James Armour. — Third son of Patrick
Crawford of Auchenames, Ayrshire. Died 11th July 1762. Mar. August 1743,
Katherine, daughter of John Forbes of Newhall, Advocate.
CRAWFURD, JOHN. 16th July 1661.
Apprentice to James Campbell. — Son of Hugh Crawfurd of Auchinwey. Died
1667.
CRAWFURD, ROBERT, of Crawfurdtoun. 8th March 1688.
Apprentice to Hugh Wallace of Inglistoun. — Died 1699. Mar. Margaret Cathcart.
CRAWFURD, JAMES. 29th June 1661.
Apprentice to James Campbell. — Second son of Patrick Crawfurd of Auchenames.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 47
CEEASE, GEORGE. 22d December 1836.
Apprentice to Alexander Stevenson. — Son of William Crea.se, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Born 15th June 1810. Died 6th April 1838.
CEICHTON, DAVID.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
CRICHTON, HEW HAMILTON. 14th May 1849.
Apprentice to James Campbell Tait. — Son of Hew Crichton, S.S.C. in Edinburgh.
Bom 7th September 1820.
CROMBIE, ALEXANDER, of Thornton. 17th January 1861.
Appi-entice to Thomas George Mackay and Alexander Howe. — Eldest son of
Alexander Crombie of Thornton, Kincardineshire. Born 29th November 1836.
Mar. 7th September 1870, Elizabeth, .second daughter of Dr. John Marshall,
Chatton Park, Northumberland.
CROMBIE, ANDREW. 27th Februai-y 1817.
Apprentice to William Balderston. — Son of John Crombie, Dyer in Edinburgh.
Boi-n 23d May 1793. Died in Tasmania 20th July 1859. Mar. 11th June 1834,
Margaret, daughter of Norgett, Hobart-Town, Tasmania.
CROMBIE, OR CRUMMEY, THOMAS. 3d March 160G.
Mar. Margaret, daughter of James Ker, Merchant Burgess of Edinburgh.
CROOKS, PETER. 8th March 1821.
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas. — Son of Peter Crooks, Gardener at the Dean.
Born 1799. Died 4th March 1844. Mar. 5th October 1824, Marion, daughter of
Peter Dods, Haddington. Collector of Fee Fund, Court of Session, 1840-44.
CRUICKSHANK, GEORGE. 18th August 1652.
Apprentice to John Semple.— Died February 1669. Mar. 5th December 1661,
Elizabeth Gawin. Clerk 1654-60. Re-admitted 5th April 1661.
CULLEN, JOHN. 4th July 1828.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Fifth son of Thomas CuUen, farmer, Dalmamock.
Bo^-n 1802. Died June 1863. Mar. 9th August 1841, Catherine Ann, daughter
of William Buchanan, Advocate.
CULLEN, WILLIAM JAMES, LL.B. 15th July 1884.
Apprentice to James, J. H., and L. M. Balfour. — Son of Thomas Cullen, Inspector
of Stamps and Taxes, Edinburgh. Born 9th September 1859. Mar. 4th July
1888, Grace Rutherford, youngest daughter of William John Clark, Withington,
Manchester. Resigned his commission 28th January 1890.
CUMINE, FRANCIS GARDEN. 16th February 1832.
Apprentice to George Robinson and Joseph Paterson. — Son of Archibald Cumine
of Auchry, Aberdeenshire. Born 4th October 1803. Died 1843, unmarried.
48 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
CUMING, GEORGE, of Relugas. 3d July 1778.
Apprentice to (1) William Budge; and (2) John Mackenzie of Delvin. — Fourth
son of Dr. Patrick Cuming of Relugas, Minister at Edinburgh. Bo)-n 1744. Died
2d October 1804. Mar. 4th January 1783, Susanna Judith Craigie, daughter of
Colonel Charles Halket of Halhill, Fifeshire.
GUMMING, GEORGE. 5th December 1833.
Apprentice to Joseph Gordon. — Son of John Gumming, Banker in Forres. Boin
16th October 1809. Died 8th September 1883. Mar. 5th October 1847, Jane Maria,
daughter of Robert Edmunds, London, and widow of William Henry Burgess.
GUMMING, JAMES. 12th January 1730.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville. Mar. Ann, daughter of William Alves, W.S.
CUMYNG, MATHEW.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
GUNINGHAM, ALEXANDER. 30th January 1798.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Junr. — Eldest son of the Rev. Charles Cuning-
ham, Minister of Tranent. Died 23d February 1827, aged 81. Mar. April 1774,
Fordyce, daughter of William Gray of Newholm, Lanarkshire.
GUNINGHAM, ALEXANDER, of Newholm. 13th December 1827.
Apprentice to Richard Mackenzie. — Son of Charles Cuningham, of Newholm,
W.S. Bm-n 29th April 1805. Di^d 16th June 1883. Mar. 31st July 1834,
Caroline, daugliter of Major-General Alured Dodsworth Faunce, C.B. Secretary
to Commissioners of Northern Light, 1842-74.
CUNINGHAM, CHARLES, of Newholm. 19 th February 1808.
Apprentice to Robert Dundas. — Son of Alexander Cuningham, W.S. Died 27th
January 1856, aged 82. Mar. 5th June 1799, Elizabeth, daughter of John Weir
of Kerse. Town-Clerk of Edinburgh, 4th February 1807 to 1851.
CUNINGHAM, EDMUND CYPRIAN. 24th January 1878.
Apprentice to R. L. Stuart and Harry Cheyne. — Son of Alexander Cuningham
of Newholm, W.S. Barn 7th March 1853.
CUNINGHAM, JOHN, of Bandalloch. 29th December 1684.
Apprentice to .Tames Cunningham. — Son of William Cuningham of Drumbeg,
Stirlingshire. Died 24th February 1716. Mar. Jean, daughter of William Weir
of Blackwood, Lanarkshire. Fiscal, 1690-95.
CUNINGHAM, JOHN, of Balbegy. 24th June 1713.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Cuningham of Bandalloch, W.S. — Died 1770.
CUNINGHAM, WILLIAM, of Bandalloch. 2d February 1713.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Cuningham of Bandalloch, W.S. — Died suddenly
in Parliament House 8th December 1743. Mar. 28th April 1708, Martha
daughter of Sir George Suttie of Balgone, Bart,
LIST OF MEMBEES 49
CUNINGHAM, WILLIAM GRAY. 1st July 1824.
Apprentice to, and son of, Charles Cuningham of Newholm, W.S. — Born 6tL
December 1800. Died 31st December 1838. Mar. 21st June 1831, Janetta,
daughter of Captain Charles Grant of Greenpark, Linlithgowshire.
CUNNINGHAM, ALEXANDER, of Harperfield. 11th February 1702.
Died 1708. Jl/ar. 16th October 1705, Margaret, daughter of Alexander Stewart,
D.C.S.
CUNNINGHAM, ALEXANDER, of Lathrisk. 4th July 1748. ,
Apprentice to Archibald Campbell. — Third son of Ninian Cunningham, Writer in
Edinburgh. Died 17th August 1780.
CUNNINGHAM, HUGH, of Monkredden. 12th July 1695.
Apprentice to John Cunningham of Enterkine. — Died 22d May 1704. Mar.
Anna Brand.
CUNNINGHAM, or CUNYNGHAME, JAMES. 16th March 1670.
Apprentice to John Cunningham of Enterkine. — Son of James Cunynghame in
AUoway. Mar. Isobell Graham. Author of An Essay upon the Inscription of Mac-
dufs Cross in Fife, 1678.
CUNNINGHAM, JAMES. 19th June 1823.
Apprentice to James Gibson. — Second son of Alexander Cunningham. Edinburgh.
Born 18th March 1800. Died 6tli November 1878. 3Iar. (1) 26th April 1836,
Margaret Sheaffe, youngest daughter of Daniel Bagot, Dublin; and (2) 11th
October 1846, Elizabeth Boyle, youngest daughter of Alexander Dunlop of
Keppoch.
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to John Gibson, Junr. — Son of John Cunningham of Balgounie,
Perthshire. Bom 1804. Died 6th April 1832, unmarried.
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN, of Enterkine. 27th November 1660.
Apprentice to James Campbell. — Son of Adam Cunynghame of Previck, Ayrshire.
Died May 1694. Mar. (1) 23d January 1657, Elizabeth Paton; and (2) 1st
June 1677, Mary Murray.
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN SMITH, of Caprington. 10th March 1803.
Apprentice to Archibald Tod. — Eldest son of Thomas Smith, Writer in Edinburgh,
Principal Clerk of the Bills. Bom 22d August 1780. Died 3d October 1855.
Mar. 7th April 1812, Ann, second daughter of Sir William Cunningham of
Caprington, Ayrshire. Assumed name of Cunningham.
CUNNINGHAM, SAMUEL. 24th February 1809.
Apprentice to John Macnab. — Son of Patrick Cunningham, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 1815. Mar. February 1807, Elizabeth, daughter of John Milne, Ironmonger,
Edinburgh.
50 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM, of Rathillet.
Second son of James Cunningham of Ashinyards, Ayrshire. Mar. Rebecca
Muirhead, daughter of the Laird ofLinhouse. i)iec? 6th August 1626. Depute
Keeper of the Privy Seal.
CURLE, JAMES. 13th April 1886.
Apprentice to William Stuart Eraser. — Eldest son of Alexander Curie of Morriston,
Berwickshire, and Priorwood, Melrose. Bm-n 27th March 1862.
CURR, WILLLAJVI HENRY. 26th October 1887.
Apprentice to Ralph and William John Dundas and George M. Paul. — Son of
Henry Curr, Pitkellony, Muthill, Perthshire. Born 14th April 1863.
CURRIER, ANDREW. 28th July 1715.
Apprentice to James Drummond. — Died August 1740. Mar. (1) Helen, third
daughter of Sir George Stirling of Glorat, Bart. ; and (2) April 1723, Barbara,
daughter of George Alexander of Peppermiln, Mid-Lothian.
CURROR, DAVID ANDREW. 11th January 1887.
Apprentice to Thomas Watt Wallace. — Son of David Curror of Wester Craig-
duckie, Fifeshire, S.S.C. Bmii 1st September 1861.
CUTHBERTSON, WILLIAM. 12th November 1847.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of Thomas Cuthbertson, Coach-builder in
Edinburgh. Bmi 1st February 1813. Died 2d January 1864. Mar. 9th July
1851, Jane Todd.
DALGLEISH, JAMES, of AVest Grange and Ardnamurchan. 10th March 1826.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie and Alexander Monypenny. — Eldest surviving
son of John Dalgleish of Dalbeath, Fifeshire, Lieut. -Colonel 21st Foot. Died 30th
September 1870, aged 67. Mar. 30th June 1835, Elizabeth Christian, second
daughter of Laurence Johnston of Sands, Perthshire.
DALL, CHARLES. 18th June 1764.
Apprentice to Alexander Robertson.— Son of Robert Dall, Merchant in Arbroath.
Died 26th March 1773.
DALLAS, ALEXANDER, of Riddochhill. 6th December 1803.
Apprentice to J. A. Higgins. — Son of Alexander Dallas, Tacksman of Standaline,
Nairnshire. Bm-n 1770. Died 4th Februai-y 1834. Mar. (1) Ann Forbes, and (2) 15th
November 1831, Catherine, daughter of Sir William Honyman of Armadale, Bart.
DALLAS, GEORGE, of Saint Martins. 16th July 1661.
Apprentice to John Bayne.— Son of William Dallas of Badyett. Died April 1 701.
Mar. 3d July 1660, Margaret Abercromby. Fiscal, 1666-71. M.P. for Cromarty-
shire, 1665, 1667, 1669-74, 1678, 1681-2, 1685-6. Author of A System of Stiles as
now p)-aclicahU within the kingdom of Scotland, 1697.
LIST OF MEMBERS 51
DALLAS, GEORGE, of Parkley. 17th June 1723.
Apprentice to iTeorge Wilkie. — Son of George Dallas of Parkley. Died 1780.
Mar. Decembci 1728, Susannah, daughter of James Mure of Eamshaw.
DALLAS, JAMES. 3d July 1781.
Apprentice to Robert Boswell. — Eldest son of Thomas Dallas, Surgeon in Mussel-
burgh. Died 2d January 1802. Mar. 7th April 1783, Nancy, daughter of John
Milne of Stobcross. Resigned his Commission 24th May 1792.
DALLAS, WILLIAM. 5th January 1687.
Apprentice to George Dallas of St. Martins. — Mar. 10th February 1689,
Henrietta Cockbum. Joint Fiscal, 1695 and 1697-1702.
DALLAS, WILLIAM. 1st August 1788.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Junr. — Fourth son of William Dallas, Wright
in Edinburgh. Disd 27th March 1852. Mar. 21st February 1797, Elizabeth,
youngest daughter of James Kerr, of the island of Jamaica.
DALLAS, WILLIAM. 21st December 1832.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Dallas, W.S. — Born 25th December 1805.
Died 24th February 1851. Mar. (1) 30th March 1832, Mary Ann, daughter of
John Thomson of Northfield; and (2) 28th October 1845, Margaret M'Ewen.
DALMAHOY, JAMES ALEXANDER. 18th July 1877.
Apprentice to (1) Patrick Dalmahoy; and (2) John Cowan.— Son of Patrick
Dalmahoy, W.S. JBm-n 8th December 1853.
DALMAHOY, PATRICK, of Bowkrhouses. 5th June 1823.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of Adam Dalmahoy, residing in Edinburgh.
Born 11th June 1798. Di^sd 5th September 1872. Mar. 8th January 1833, Anna
Catherine, only daughter of Simon Sawers, of the Ceylon Civil Service. Fiscal,
1864-72.
DALRYMPLE, ROBERT, of Killoch. 28th March 1707.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Second son of Sir James Dalrymple of
Borthwick, Bart 5mi 25th July 1685. j9t«<? 2d December 1765. il/ar. 5th Sep-
tember 1711, Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of John Bo wick, Merchant, Glasgow.
DALRYMPLE, ROBERT, of Dreghohn and Prestwoodside. 10th December 1722.
Apprentice to Robert Dalrymple.— Son of Dalrymple of Waterside, Dumfries-
shire. Died 30th March 1765, aged 77.
DALRYMPLE, WILLIAM. 31st March 1707.
Son of Robert Dalrymple, one of the Bailies of Ayr.— Died 7th June 1732. Mar.
Janet Menzies. Under-Keeper of the Signet, 1707-8.
DALRYMPLE, WILLIAM. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to James Lang. — Son of James Dalrymple, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Born 1795. Died 4th November 1834. Mar. 1833.
H THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
DALEYMPLE, WILLIAM. 8th November 1849.
Apprentice to John Eichardson. — Eldest son of William Dalrymple, S.S.C.
Born 27th April 1821. Died 8th January 1886. Mar. Mary Agnes, daughter
of James Aitken, Writer, Edinburgh.
DALZELL, WILLIAM.
See CoLQUHouN, William Dalzelu
DALZIEL, GEOEGE. 24th June 1824.
Apprentice to John Buchan Brodie. — Son of John Dalziel, Writer in Earlston,
Berwickshire. Born 14th January 1799. Died 27th June 1869. Mar. 23d
October 1827, Charlotte, second daughter of David Pearson, Edinburgh. Depute-
Keeper of the Privy Seal, 1853-69.
DALZIEL, GEOEGE. 14th November 1866.
Apprentice to, and son of, George Dalziel, W.S.— .Swrt 13th July 1843. Mar.
29th September 1868, Mary, eldest daughter of Charles Lyall, Old Montrose.
DALZIEL, JOHN. 15th November 1860.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, George Dalziel, W.S. — Born 9th August 1838.
Died 24th April 1883. Mar. 26th March 1863, Isabella Geddes, eldest daughter
of James Sanderson, Surgeon-Major, Madras Army.
DANIEL, PHINEAS. 16th May 1822.
Apprentice to George Eobinson. — Son of George Daniel, Writer in Fraserburgh.
Died 6th January 1867, aged 79. Mar. Clementina, youngest daughter of William
Shand, Craigellie, Aberdeenshire. Sheriff-Clerk of Dumbartonshire, 1834-67.
DAELING, JAMES JOHNSTON. 25th November 1824.
Apprentice to Eobert Strachan. — Younger son of Paul Darling of Bogangreen.
Born 1799. Died 1st July 1842, unmamed. Author of the Practice of the
Court of Session, 1833, and other legal works.
DAELING, JAMES STOEMONTH, ok Lednathie. 24th January 1822.
Apprentice to (1) William Balderston ; and (2) AVilliam Scott. — Son of James
Darling, Writer in Kelso. Bom 9th February 1799. Died 12th August 1866.
3far. 19th July 1825, Elizabeth Moir, only surviving daughter of James Tod of
Deanstoun.
DAELING, JAMES STOEMONTH, of Lednathie. 29th November 1855.
Apprentice to Alexander and Christopher Douglas. — Son of James Stormonth
Darling, W.S. Bm-n 4th October 1830. Died 8th January 1881, unmarried.
DAELING, THOMAS. 14th August 1633.
Apprentice to Eobert Wallace.
DAELING, THOMAS. 24th November 1831.
Apprentice to John Glassford Hopkirk. — Son of Thomas Darling, S.S.C. Born
16th October 1808. Died 13th June 1870. Mar. 13th March 1832, Charlotte,
youngest daughter of Charles Hamilton of Fairholm, Lanarkshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 58
DAVIDSON, ARTHUR LENNOX. 18th October 1886.
Apprentice to Christopher Charles Nisbet. — Son of Major-General Davidson.
Bmn 7th December 1862.
DAVIDSON, CHARLES FORBES. 27th May 1824.
Apprentice to (1) WiUiam Berry; (2) Alexander Kettle. — Fifth son of Andrew
Davidson, Advocate in Aberdeen. Died 8th March 1853, aged 52. Mar. 9th
June 1831, Eliza, daughter of Charles Hill of Luthrie, Fifeshire.
DAVIDSON, HARRY, of Old Belses. 16th November 1781.
Apprentice to Robert Jamieson. — Second son of James Davidson, Merchant in
Dysart. Born 11 5b. I^ietZ 11th February 1837. Mm-. Ann Gillespie. Sheriff-
Substitute of Mid-Lothian, 1791-1820.
DAVIDSON, HUGH. 2d October 1688.
Apprentice to Hugh Wallace of Inglistoun. — Died April 1695.
DAVIDSON, JAMES, of Bankier. 29th June 1786.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Son of the Rev. John Davidson, Minister of
"West Kilpatrick. Died 18th June 1823. Mar. (1) 8th August 1787, Mary,
daughter of Neil Buchanan of Auchintoshan, Dumbartonshire ; (2) 15th April
1791, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. James Meik, D.D., Minister of Cambuslang;
and (3) 9th March 1809, widow of John Miller, of Jamaica.
DAVIDSON, JAMES GILLESPIE. 19th June 1812.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Harry Davidson, W.S. — Bom 3d January 1789.
Died 5th October 1843. Mar. 30th October 1828, Amelia Helen, eldest daughter
of Major-General John Lamont of Lamont, Argyllshire.
DAVIDSON, JOHN, of Stewartfield and Haltree. 3d April 1749.
Apprentice to George Balfour. — Son of James Davidson of Haltree, Bookseller in
Edinburgh. Died 29th December 1797. Author of a tract on the Regiam
Majestatem, and another on the Black Ads ; Accounts of tlie Chamberlain oj Scotland,
1329-31. Crown Agent. Depute Keeper of the Signet, 1778-1797.
DAVIDSON, JOHN, of "Whitehouse. 20th December 1732.
Apprentice to Andrew Sutherland. — Died 7th April 1755. Mar. August 1740,
Anne, daughter of Fotheringham of Powrie. Principal Clerk of Justiciary.
DAVIDSON, JOHN JAMES. - 22d February 1821.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Davidson, W.S. — Born 1797. Died 20th May
1837. Mar. Teind Clerk, 1826-38.
DAVIDSON, LAURENCK 18th November 1825.
Apprentice to (1) John Ferrier; and (2) Harry Davidson. — Fourth son of Harry
Davidson, W.S. Died 18th September 1868, aged 69. Mar. 6th December 1831,
Emma, youngest daughter of John Pryor, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
5* THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
DAWLING, JAMES. 4th June 1636.
Apprentice to Quintin Kennedy.
DEAS, SYLVESTER FALCONER REID. 17th December 1868.
Apprentice to James Duncan. — Younger son of Sir George Deas, Kt., one of the
Senators of the College of Justice. Bcrrn 3d February 1845. Afar. 7th October
1874, Alice, second daughter of Michael Grayhurst Hewat, London.
DENNISTON, ARCHIBALD. 1st July 1837.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of John Denniston,
Merchant in Greenock. Bmi 14th March 1814. Died 23d June 1871. Mar.
7th September 1842, Janet, third daughter of Allan Fullarton, Banker, Greenock.
DENNISTOUN, RICHARD. 7th July 1829.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Son of Robert Dennistoun, Merchant in Glasgow.
Dkd 20th March 1848, aged 41. Mar. 11th March 1830, Hannah, only daughter
of John Meiklam of Carnbroe.
DEWAR, FRANCIS JAMES. 5th May 1880.
Apprentice to (1) S. F. R. Deas, and (2) Hew Hamilton Crichton. — Elder son of
Hugh Bruce Dewar, S.S.C. Born 29th April 1855,
DEWAR, WILLIAM. 20th June 1769.
Apprentice to Alexander Orr. — Second son of John Dewar of Cannan. Died 1772.
DICK, ANDREW. 11th January 1762.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Sym, and (2) Thomas Innes. — Son of John Dick of
Compstoun. Died May 1778. Mar. Ann Heugh.
DICK, WALTER.
Signs the Act 4th April 1607. Grandson of David Couper, Burgess of Cupar.
DICK, WILLIAM. 3d July 1772.
Apprentice to Leonard Urquhai't. — Youngest son of Robert Dick, Writer in
Edinburgh. Z)t«(i August 1787.
DICKIE, JOHN. 3d August 1742.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Son of John Dickie, of Corstorphine Hill,
Merchant in Edinburgh. Died 3d April 1 755, aged 43. Mar. Ann Fordyce.
DICKIE, JOHN. 5th July 1814.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Third son of William Dickie, sometime Merchant
in Dundee, afterwards in Edinburgh. Born 1783. Died 13th December 1839.
DICKSON, ARTHUR HILL. 14th January 1890.
Apprentice to Robert Strathern. — Youngest son of Alexander Dickson, Farmer,
Hermiston, Mid-Lothian. Barn 18th February 1867.
LIST OF MEMBERS 56
DICKSON, DAVID SCOT. 26th June 1856.
Apprentice to Thomas George Mackay and Alexander Howe. — Eighth son of
Walter Dickson of Monybuie, W.S. Bom 23d September 1830. Mar. 19th
September 1861, the Hon. Francis Sophia Addington, daughter of William
Leonard, second Viscount Sidmouth.
DICKSON, HENRY GORDON. 27th February 1817.
Apprentice to William Handy side. — Son of Samuel Dickson, builder in Edinburgh.
Died 30th September 1860, aged 74. Mar. 1st August 1817, Eliza, second
daughter of William Gillespie, Merchant in Edinburgh.
DICKSON, HENRY GORDON. 16th March 1855.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Henry Gordon Dickson, W.S. — Bmn 11th March
1820. Died 21st July 1889. Mar. 16th September 1851, Jane Alder, eldest
daughter of Dr. Adolphus M. Ross, Edinburgh.
DICKSON, JAMES LAWRENCE. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to David S. Dickson and David Shaw. — Son of James Gilchrist
Dickson, Stockbroker, Edinburgh. Born 25th November 1861.
DICKSON, JAMES MACBRIDE, LL.B. 21st July 1875.
Apprentice to Robert Burt Ranken. — Son of Andrew John Dickson, S.S.C.
Born 7th January 1852.
DICKSON, JOHN, of Robbiewhat. 30th June 1789.
Apprentice to Hugh Corrie. — Eldest son of David Dickson of Locherwoods,
Dumfriesshire. Born 1759. Died 23d November 1831. Mar. 2d September
1790, Charlotte, daughter of James Alison, Writer in Edinburgh.
DICKSON, JOHN. 13th June 1806.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Son of the Rev. David Dickson of Perisland,
Minister of the New North Church, Edinburgh. Died at Kingston, Canada, 8th
July 1823.
DICKSON, JOHN. 29th June 1843.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Walter Dickson of Monybuie, W.S. — Bom 30th
October 1817. Mar. 29th June 1852, Eliza Jane, daughter of Colonel Alexander
Macleod, C.B.
DICKSON, SAMUEL. 16th March 1855.
Apprentice to, and third son of, Henry Gordon Dickson, W.S. — Bo'rn 12th January
1826. Mar. 31st July 1860, Mary Campbell, youngest daughter of David
Johnstone of Overton, Stirlingshire.
DICKSON, THOMAS. 18th May 1649.
Apprentice to Adam Watt, — Mar. Agnes Gardner. Re-admitted 21st November
1661.
g§ THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
DICKSON, WALTER, of Monybuie. ' 20th May 1802.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Youngest son of Joliu Dickson of Conheath,
Provost of Dumfries. Bmn 5th November 1776. Died 12th December 1855.
Mar. 2d December 1816, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Goldie of Craigmuie.
DICKSON, WALTEE. 30th January 1823.
Apprentice to William Eenny. — Son of Archibald Dickson of Housebyres, Nursery
and Seedsman in Hawick. Bom 1797. Died 9th July 1843, unmarried.
DICKSON, WILLIAM TEAQUAIR, of Cokstorphine. 3d November 1870.
Apprentice to William Traquair, his uncle. — Son of John Dickson of Corstorpliine.
Bm-n 7th June 1845. Mar. 27th June 1882, Elizabeth Madalene, daughter of
Eev. Archibald Stewart, D.D., Minister of Glasserton.
DIXON, EGBERT, of Levengrove. 20th December 1827.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Son of John Dixon, of the Dumbarton Glass
Works Company. Died 26th July 1833, aged 30.
DIXSON, JAMES HEGGIE. 20th October 1875-*^
Apprentice to Robert and James Alexander Haldane. — Son of Robert Dixson,
Edinburgh. Barn 17th October 1852. Mar. 28th June 188], Jane Callander
Balloch, daughter of Robert Honeyman, Merchant, Edinbui-gh.
DOBIE, JAMES. 16th July 1840.
Apprentice to (1) James Adam, (2) Roderick Mackenzie and Robert Macfarlane,
and (3) Roderick Mackenzie. — Son of James Dobie of Grummoch, Writer in
Perth. Barn 1819. Died 16th December 1840, unmarried.
DON, PATRICK. 29th April 1662.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle, John NicoU, elder, and Alexander Lesly. — Son
of Alexander Don, Writer in Edinburgh. Died March 1672.
DONALD, ALEXANDER. 6th July 1826.
Apprentice to William Inglis and Matthew Weir. — Eldest son of William Donald,
Couliehare, Udny. ^orm 1796. Z>i«i 11th April 1846. ilfar. 5th August 1830,
Robina Mary, youngest daughter of Alexander Millar, Montrose.
DONALDSON, GEORGE HAY. 14th November 1833.
Apprentice to John Gibson, Juur. — Son of Stuart Donaldson, Merchant in London.
Born 22d April 1810. Died 1st May 1872. Mar. 4th September 1844, Emma
de Bois, youngest daughter of James Russell, Entwood Court, Staffordshire.
DONALDSON, HAY. 9th July 1802.
Apprentice to John Moir. — Third son of Hay Donaldson, Town-Clerk of Hadding-
ton. Died 30th September 1823.
DONALDSON, JOHN, of Auchairne. 10th March 1808.
Apprentice to Vans Hathorn. — Only son of the Eev. William Donaldson, minister
of Ballantrae. Died 17th October 1849, aged 69. Mar. 29th March 1813,
Margaret, only daughter of John Ure, one of the Magistrates of Glasgow,
LIST OF MEMBEES 57
DONALDSON, ROBERT. 26th June 1769.
Apprentice to Thomas Brodie. — Eldest son of George Donaldson, Sheriff-Clerk of
Nairn. Died 27th August 1796. Mar. April 1767, Helen, only daughter of
John Grant, W.S.
DOUGAL, DAVID. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to William C. M'Ewen. — Son of Alexander Dougal, Linlithgow.
Bcn-n Uth April 1864.
DOUGLAS, ALEXANDER. 6th April 1630.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Mar. 30th June 1629, Agnes Pringle.
DOUGLAS, ALEXANDER. 1st July 1808.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Third son of Dr. Christopher Douglas, Physician
in Kelso. Born 19th June 1780. Died 1st July 1851. Mar. 20th March 1810,
Janet Hardie, second daughter of Robert Bow, Merchant in Edinburgh. Fiscal,
1844-51.
DOUGLAS, ALEXANDER SHOLTO. 16th November 1854.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and Alexander M. Bell. — Son of
Alexander Douglas, W.S. Born 27th November 1829. 3Iar. 16th December
1858, Helen M'Caul, daughter of John Forrester, W.S.
DOUGLAS, CHRISTOPHER, of Chesterhouse. 13th November 1834.
Apprentice to James and John Dundas. — Eldest son of Alexander Douglas, W.S.
Bm-n 13th February 1811.
DOUGLAS, DAVID. 15th December 1825.
Apprentice to Robert Rutherford. — Third son of James Douglas, Writer in
Dunfermline. Died 6th September 1886. Mar. 26th December 1838, Margaret
Lawson, second daughter of Charles Hill of Luthrie, Fifeshire.
DOUGLAS, JOHN. , 4th December 1794.
Apprentice to John Gordon. — Son of John Douglas of Burnhouse. Bom 1768.
Died 6th January 1854, unmarried.
DOUGLAS, JOHN BROWN. 7th March 1833.
Apprentice to, and second son of, William Douglas, W.S. — Bm-n 25th August 1809.
Died 28th April 1880. Mar. 22d January 1846, Mary Ann, second daughter of
John Turner of Turnerhall, Aberdeenshire.
DOUGLAS, JOHN BROWN. 17th July 1879.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Brown Douglas, W.S. — Bom 30th May 1 852. Mar.
1st June 1882, Emma Jane, daughter of Thomas Overy West, Seven-Score, Kent.
DOUGLAS, WALTER. 8th January 1666.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Douglas, W.S.
H
BS THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
DOUGLAS, WILLIAM. 23d November 1802.
Apprentice to Bain Whyt. — Son of Archibald Douglas, S.S.C., Edinburgh. Born
26th February 178L Died 16th July 1841. Mar. 15th December 1806, Anna,
daughter of John Brown, Hamilton.
DOW, JOHN. 7th July 1808.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Eldest son of Lieutenant Archibald Dow, Royal
Navy. Died 25th October 1827. Mar. 11th July 1820, Margaret, eldest daughter
of William Russell, Glasgow.
DRUMMOND, ALEXANDER. Uth November 1684.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Son of Alexander Dnimmond, Bailie of Cockenzie.
Bied December 1694. Mar. Elizabeth Balfour.
DRUMMOND, SIR FRANCIS WALKER, of Hawthornden, Baet. 23d June 1807.
■Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Walker, W.S. — Born 9th June 1781.
Bkd 29th February 1844. Mar. 4th January 1810, Margaret, only daughter of
Captain Sir John Forbes Drummond of Hawthornden, Bart., when he assumed
her name and arms. Succeeded his father-in-law as second Baronet, in terms of
patent 23d May 1829.
DRUMMOND, JAMES. 8th October 1705.
Apprentice to Ronald Campbell. — Died 1718. Mar. Violet, daughter of Thomas
Bordlands.
DRUMMOND, JAMES, of Comrie. 1st August 1788.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Eldest son of Patrick Drummond of Comrie, Perth-
shire. Died 1st February 1800. Mar. 1st August 1792, Eliza, daughter of John
Summers, Writer, Edinburgh.
DRUMMOND, JAMES. 2d November 1881.
Apprentice to William Alexander Maclaren. — Son of the Rev. James Drummond,
Irvine. Born 9th April 1858.
DRUMMOND, JOHN FORBES WALKER. 16th November 1843.
Apprentice to, and third son of, Sir Francis Walker Drummond of Hawthornden,
Bart., W.S.—Born 19th January 1819. Mar. 11th September 1866, Emma
Louisa, younger daughter of Butler Edmond Thornton of Skerton and Whitting-
ton, Lancashire.
DRYSDALE, SIR WILLIAM, of Pitteuchar, Knight. 2d March 1804.
Apprentice to James Buchan. — Son of William Drysdale of Pitteuchar, Fife.
Bom 1776. Died 4th June 1843. Mar. (!) 30th October 1809, Jane, only
daughter of Rev. Alexander Fleming, D.D., Minister of Hamilton ; and (2) 7th
September 1813, Jane, only child of Thomas Cochrane, M.D., Edinburgh; and
(3) 7th November 1820, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pew of Hillowtown, Kirk-
cudbright, and widow of William Copland of Colliston, Dumfriesshire.
LIST or MEMBERS nnt^P ?!fFT 59
DUCAT, JAMES STEWART. IStli November 1830.
Apprentice to Warren Hastings Sands. — Son of Charles Ducat of FuUarton.
Died 10th April 1853, aged 50. Mar. 9th September 1834, Catherine, daughter
of James Steele, Surgeon, 5 2d Regiment.
DUDGEON, JOHN. 28th May 1819.
Apprentice to (1) James Gilchrist; and (2) David Welsh. — Fourth son of John
Dudgeon, Merchant in Leith. Born 11th August 1796. Died 30th August 1887.
Mar. 22d October 1822, Isabella, daughter of John Falconer, Merchant in Glasgow.
DUDGEON, PATRICK, of East Craig. 18th December 1823.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Eldest son of John Dudgeon of East Craig, East-
Lothian. Died 10th October 1846, aged 48. Mar. 2d June 1822, Jane Alex-
andrina, eldest daughter of Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Duncan, H.E.I.C.S.
DUFF, ALEXANDER. 30th January 1823.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean. — Fourth son of Patrick Duff, Sheriff-Clerk of
Elginshire. Died 24th September 1854, aged 54, unmarried. Author of a
Treatise on Feudal Conveyancing, 1838, and other legal works. Admitted Advo-
cate, 9th December 1848. Presenter of Signatures, 1847-54.
DUFF, JOHN DUNBAR. 14th April 1884.
Apprentice to John Ross. — Son of Captain Duff, Glen-Arthur, Duddingston. Bm'n
27th November 1854. Assistant Clerk and Extractor to the Signet, 1885-89.
DUFF, LACHLAN.
See Gordon, Lachlan Duff.
DUFF, PATRICK 23d July 1745.
Apprentice to Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan. — Son of John Duff, Mer-
chant in Elgin. Died 1765. Mar. Grizel Balfour, sister of Sir Patrick Balfour.
DUFF, WILLIAM. 12th August 1799.
Apprentice to Robert Donaldson. — Youngest son of Major Alexander Duff. Died
19th September 1809.
DUMBRECK, JOHN. 2d December 1824.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Eldest son of William Dumbreck, South Coatts,
Edinburgh. Born 1799. Died 3d November 1854. Mar. 10th November 1829,
daughter of Charles Kinnear, Fingask.
DUN, ANDREW. 31st May 1827.
Apprentice to (1) John Campbell and James Amot; and (2) John Campbell,
Junior. — Son of Andrew Dun, Rector of the Grammar School, Aberdeen. Died
20th February 1854, aged 50. Mar. (1) Mary Ann Leslie, daughter of John
Rutherford of Hunthill; and (2) 26th July 1841, Mary Isabella, daughter of
Thomas Selby, Ipswich. >■ ir^; i- ■
60 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
DUNBAR, ALEXANDER. 29th December 1682.
Apprentice to Alexander Home. — Son of Mr. James Dunbar, Minister of Abbey
St. Bathans.
DUNBAR, ARCHIBALD. 25th November 1 796.
Apprentice to John Innes. — Youngest son of William Dunbar of Netherbankie.
Died 19th June 1809.
DUNBAR, KEITH. 19th December 1767.
Apprentice to Colquhoun Grant — Second son of Sir William Dunbar of Durn,
Banffshire. Died 18th April 1799, unmarried. Depute Clerk of Session, 14th
June 1780 till death.
DUNBAR, RONALD. 27th January 1729.
Apprentice to Ronald Campbell. — Died 23d December 1753. Mar. December
1729, Margaret, daughter of Ronald Campbell of Balerno, W.S. Appointed Clerk
of the General Register of Hornings 9th March 1728. Agent for City of Edin-
burgh. Fiscal, 1734-1753.
DUNBAR, WILLLAH. 4th July 1769.
Apprentice to Thomas Brodie. — Third son of Alexander Dunbar of Boath, Nairn-
shire. Died 18th February 1807, unmarried.
DUNCAN, ALEXANDER. 25th November 1765.
Apprentice to James Graham. — Third son of Alexander Duncan, Clerk of Dundee.
Died 10th November 1821. Mar. November 1768, Mary, daughter of John
Simpson of Brunton, Fifeshire.
DUNCAN, ANDREW JOHN. 11th July 1837.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Son of Andre^v Duncan, residing in Glasgow. Born
24th June 1814. Died June 1848, unmarried.
DUNCAN, GEORGE. 19th November 1708.
Apprentice to Ronald Campbell. — Died about 1724. Mar. 31st December 1708,
Helen, daughter of James Balfour, Merchant, Edinburgh.
DUNCAN, JAMES. 17th February 1825.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of James Duncan, residing in Falkirk. B(mi
1797. Died 27th September 1874. Mar. 30th August 1842, Christina, only
daughter of John Duncan, Edinburgh.
DUNCAN, JAMES BARKER. 14th November 1866.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Duncan, W.S. — Born 25th May 1843. Mar. 3d
April 1873, Louisa Janet, fourth daughter of Alexander Brodie, Stirling.
DUNCAN, JOHN. 27 th June 1833.
Apprentice to James Farquhar Gordon. — Son of John Duncan, residing in Princes
Street, Edinburgh. Born 23d November 1806. Mar. 17th September 1839,
Janet, youngest daughter of Thomas Metcalf, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBERS 61
DUNCAN, WILLIAM. 8th July 1822.
Apprentice to Robert Gargill. — Son of John Duncan, Manufacturer in Kirkcaldy.
Born 1794. Died 16th October 1837. Mar. 1820, Sylvester Ramsay.
DUNCAN, WILLIAM THREIPLAND. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to (1) E. C. Cuningham; and (2) J. R. Anderson and W. H. Murray.
—Son of William Duncan of Danevale, S.S.C. B(yrn 1st December 1859.
DUNDAS, JAMES HAMILTON. 9th July 1829.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Second son of Gabriel Hamilton Dundas, of Dud-
dingston, Linlithgowshire. Died 7th October 1851, aged 45, unmarried.
DUNDAS, JAMES, of Ochtertyre. 28th November 1791.
Apprentice to James Robertson- Barclay. — Third son of Ralph Dundas, Merchant
in Edinburgh. Born 1752. Died 2d April 1831. Mar. 16th October 1794,
Elizabeth, third daughter of James Graham of Airth. Deputy Director in Chancery.
DUNDAS, JOHN. 11th December 1769.
Apprentice to Charles Brown. — Son of James Dundas, of Philipstoun, Linlithgow-
shire, Advocate. Died 4th May 1816. 3far. Katherine Smith.
DUNDAS, JOHN. 29th June 1826.
Apprentice to Ralph James Dundas. — Fifth son of James Dundas, W.S. Born
19th December 1803. Died 27th May 1873. 3for. Jemima Christian, fifth
daughter of Day Hort Macdowall of Walkinshaw, Renfrewshire.
DUNDAS, JOHN, of Newhalls. 31st March 1712.
Apprentice to James Anderson. — Fifth son of John Dundas ol Duddingston,
West-Lothian. Died 22d April 1769, aged 87. Mar. Christian, daughter of
Adam Mure of Blackball. Fiscal, 1723-25. Lyon Depute from 1st February
1728 to 1744. Presenter of Signatures.
DUNDAS, RALPH. 19th March 1868.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Dundas, W.S. — Born 22d October 1843. Mar.
30th March 1869, Emily Bridget, elder daughter of Robert Robertson of
Auchleeks, Perthshire.
DUNDAS, RALPH JAMES. 25th June 1819.
Apprentice to William Wilson. — Eldest son of James Dundas, W.S. Born 21st
August 1795. Died 26th April 1824.
DUNDAS, SIR ROBERT, of Beechwood, Bart. 24th November 1785.
Apprentice to James Balfour. — Only son of the Rev. Robert Dundas, Minister of
Humbie. Born 30th June 1761. Died 26th December 1835. Mar. 20th July
1798, Matilda, daughter of Archibald Cockburn, Baron of Exchequer. Principal
Clerk of Session, 14th June 1817 to 31st December 1830. Deputy Keeper of
Sasines. Clerk of the Bills, 1820. Deputy to the Lord Privy Seal. Succeeded
his uncle. General Sir David Dundas, Bart.
69 THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
DUNDAS, WILLIAM JOHN. 13th July 1871.
Apprentice to John Dundas and WilUam Wilson. — Fourth son of George Dundas,
Advocate, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Bom 16th March 1849.
DUNLOP, ALEXANDER.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Mar. 4th May 1608, Elizabeth Seton.
DUNLOP, ANDREW, of Barnhill. 19th November 1835.
Apprentice to Hugh Macqueen. — Son of Thomas Dunlop, residing at Barnhill,
near Glasgow. Bom 23d May 1809. Died 30th October 1857. Mar. 23d July
1839, Jane Marion, only daughter of Archibald Ronaldson, Leith.
DUNLOP, GEORGE. 23d June 1807.
Apprentice to David Balfour. — Second son of James Dunlop of Garnkirk,
Lanarkshire. Bom 6th February 1776. Died 6th December 1852. 3Iar. 2d
September 1807, Isobel, second daughter of William Simpson of Ogle.
DUNLOP, GEORGE. 26th December 1873.
Apprentice to Anthony Murray. — Son of George Dunlop, and grandson of George
Dunlop, W. S. Bm-n 26th February 1849. Mar. 5th August 1875, Georgie Isabella,
eldest daughter of Robert Bogle Blackburn, Advocate, Sheriff of Stirlingshire.
DUNLOP, JAMES, of Macnairston. 9th March 1813.
Apprentice to John Farrier. ^ — Eldest son of George Dunlop of Macnairston, Ayr-
shire. Died 16th August 1847, aged 66, unmarried.
DUNLOP, ROBERT. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to William Patrick. — Son of Robert Dunlop, Merchant in Irvine.
Died 5th July 1847, aged 50. Mar. 4th March 1822, Helen Straton, only child
of Dr. James Dunbar Mudie, Physician in Alford, Lincolnshire.
DUNSMURE, JOHN. 17th May 1832.
Apprentice to David Cleghom. — Son of James Dunsmure, Secretary to the
Commissioners of the British White Herring Fishery. Born 16th September
1808. Died 29th September 1864. Mar. 3d July 1845, Jane Margaretta, fourth
daughter of Robert Bourne, Camdenville, New South Wales.
DUTHIE, WALTER. 10th March 1817.
Apprentice to William Handyside. — Son of Alexander Duthie, Advocate in
Aberdeen. Born 1795. Died 30th September 1868.
DYKES, WILLIAM. 4th June 1690.
Apprentice to WiUiam Thomson, yr. — Died before 1700.
DYKES, WILLIAM SHEDDEN. 12th April 1886.
Apprentice to James Bruce and Thomas Kerr. — Son of the Rev. Thomas Dykes,
D.D., Minister of Ayr. Bom 18th June 1860. Mar. 30th July 1889, Flora,
youngest daughter of Alexander Maclean Hunter, sometime of Balla Balla, Cran-
boume, Australia. ...i.i •, •, • -• ■
LIST OF MEMBEBS 68
DYMOCK, JOHN. 22d June 1826.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Dymock, W.S.—Bied 17th February 1841.
Mar. 14th July 1831, Margaret, eldest daughter of John Waugh.
DYMOCK, WILLIAM. 10th July 1811.
Apprentice to (1) Samuel Macknight ; and (2) Henry Moncreiff — Died 3d June
1826. Mar. Helen Maclean.
DYMOCK, WILLIAM M'LEAN. 22d February 1838.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Dymock, W.^.—Bom 27th March 1800. Died
12th June 1848. Mar. 12th June 1838, Margaret, daughter of Charles Watson,
Edinburgh.
EASTON, JAMES. 6th June 1815.
Apprentice to James Home. — Second son of Robert Easton of Strathmiln.
Died 24th April 1820.
EASTON, JOHN, of Coustoune.
Commissioner, 1st June 1607. Died 25th January 1616. Mar. Margaret Cant.
EDGAR, JOHN, of Bridgelands. 2d July 1771.
Apprentice to Charles Brown. — Eldest son of Peter Edgar of Bridgelands, Mid-
Lothian. Died 8th July 1799, unmarried.
EDGAR, THOMAS.
Signs the Acts 28th December 1627. Died 1655. Mar. 11th November 1647,
Beatrix Maxwell. Clerk to the Incorporation of Chirurgeons, 1619.
EDMONSTOUN, WILLIAM, of Glass. 14th July 1701.
Apprentice to Charles Row. — Died 6th September 1722. Mar. 3d August 1699,
Isabella, daughter of John Nasmyth.
ELDER, JAMES. 25th January 1855.
Apprentice to George Dalziel. — Third son of George Elder, Farmer, Grange,
Banffshire. Bom 29th July 1818. Died 1st April 1876. Mar. 24th June 1854,
Susan Mary, youngest daughter of Captain James Macdonald, 61st Regiment.
ELDER, JOHN. 8th February 1816.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Eldest son of John Elder, Depute Clerk of Session.
Barn 3d April 1790. Died 9th February 1869. Mm: 10th October 1849, Jane
Gibbs, only daughter of William Campbell, Merchant, Oporto.
ELDER, JOHN. 28th June 1878.
Apprentice to W. J. Menzies and H. J. Coventry. — Son of John Elder, W.S.
Bom 28th July 1854. Mar. 24th February 1886, Mary Robertson, daughter of
Alexander Henderson, Montreal, Canada.
64 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
ELIES, THOMAS. 19th September 1697.
Apprentice to James Anderson. — Son of James Elies of Southside, Mid-Lothian.
Died 8th March 1709. Mar. (1) Janet, daughter of Francis Scott, Keeper of the
Minute-Book ; and (2) Helen Hay.
ELLIOT, COKNELIUS, of Wolflee. 3d July 1758.
Apprentice to William Budge. — Son of William Elliot of Wolflee, Roxburghshire,
Writer in Edinburgh. Born April 1732. Died 9th February 1821. Mar. 8th
August 1765, Margaret, daughter of James Rannie.
ELLIOT, JAMES, of Wolflee. 10th July 1798.
Apprentice to, and youngest son of, Cornelius Elliot, W.S. — Bwn 29th February
1772. Died 2d February 1855. Mar. (1) 9th September 1799, Caroline,
daughter of Walter Hunter of Polmood, Peeblesshire ; and (2) 17th January 1827,
Margaret, daughter of Robert Davidson of Pinnacle Hill, Roxburghshire.
ELLIOT, JOHN. 14th April 1694.
Apprentice to Andrew Baillie. — Son of Mr. Robert Elliot, Minister. Died
October 1699. Mar. November 1691, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. James Fithie.
Granted £100 Scots on 7th August 1699, to take him to the Scots Colony of
Darien.
-ELLIOT-BATES, REV. JOHN ELPHINSTONE, of Millbourne. 11th July 1833.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Fourth son of James Elliot of Wolflee, W.S. Born
27th May 1810. Died 1st January 1890. 3Iar. 8th March 1843, Georgina, third
daughter of Colonel Ralph Bates, which name he assiuned. Rector of Whalton,
Northumberland.
ELLIOT, WILLIAM SCOTT, of Arkleton. 13th June 1833.
Apprentice to (1) George Lyon ; and (2) William Bell. — Son of Adam Scott of
Arkleton, Merchant in Leith. Born 22d March 1811. Mar. 6th March 1848,
Margaret, daughter of Lewis A. Wallace, Architect, Edinburgh.
ELLIS, ADAM GIB. 9th December 1817.
Apprentice to William Dymock.— Son of William Ellis, S.S.C. Born 1794. Died
13th May 1864. Mar. 8th August 1823, Catherine, third daughter of Major
David Robertson, Edinburgh. Fiscal, 1851-64.
ELLIS, ROBERT. 29th May 1828.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis. — Son of William Ellis, S.S.C, Edinburgh. Died
18th July 1868, aged 72. 3far. 16th July 1829, Margaret Gillespie, eldest
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Mitchell, Newtonhill.
ELLIS, WILLIAM. 15th November 1860.
Apprentice to, and son of, Robert Ellis, W.S.— J5or» 22d July 1830.
LIST OF MEMBERS 65
ELPHINSTONE, SIR JAMES, of Logie, Bart. 16th August 1671. ,
Apprentice to Archibald Nisbet. — Son of William Elphinstone of Ressaviot. Died
10th March 1722, aged 78. Mar. 2d September 1673, Cecilia, daughter of John
Denholm of Muirhouse. Created a Baronet 2d December 1701, "for his pure
zeall to King William's Government." Commissary of Edinburgh, 1696 ; Joint
Keeper of the Signet, 1691-1696 j M.P. Aberdeenshire, 1693-1702.
ERSKINE, DAVID. 18th June 1764.
Apprentice to (1) Hew Crawford, and (2) James Robertson-Barclay.— Fourth son
of John Erskine of Carnock and Cardross, Advocate. Died at Naples 5th April
1791. Mar. 29th April 1781, Ann, daughter of William Graham of Airth.
ERSKINE, DAVID, of Cardross. 8th July 1796.
Apprentice to David Erskine and James Dundas. — Fourth son of James Erskine
of Cardross, Perthshire. Born 10th January 1772. Died i9iih. November 1847.
Mar. 5th September 1803, Hon. Keith Elphinstone, fourth daughter of John,
eleventh Lord Elphinstone.
ERSKINE, ROBERT. 16th August 1700.
Apprentice to Robert Watson. — Died before 1715.
ESSON, GEORGE AULDJO. 24th March 1873.
Apprentice to T. G. Murray, and J. A. Jamieson. — Eldest surviving son of George
Auldjo Esson, C.A. Bom 25th January 1849.
ESSON, THOMAS SKENE. 27th January 1882.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Second surviving son of George Auldjo Esson,
C.A. Bwn 29th January 1858. Mar. 12th September 1889, Elizabeth Reid,
youngest daughter of James S. Fleming, Cashier, Royal Bank of Scotland.
EWART, JOHN. 20th October 1884.
Apprentice to John Tumbull. — Eldest son of James Ewart of Southland, New
Zealand. Born 8th September 1852.
EWART, THEODOSIUS FORREST. 16th November 1837.
Apprentice to William Grierson. — Son of David Ewart, Depute-Clerk of Chancery.
Born 30th September 1813. Died 16th April 1848, unmarried. Assistant Clerk
of Chancery, 1837-48.
EWART, THOMAS. 2l8t November 1815.
Apprentice to Sir Henry Jardine. — Son of David Ewart, Deputy-Clerk of
Chancery. Di^d at Charleston 6th March 1831. Mar. 16th September 1828,
Alicia, daughter of Thomas Yorstoun, Chamberlain to the Duke of Queensberry.
-» Struck off Roll 15th February 1830.
EWING, JOHN, OF Craigtoun. 21st July 1704.
Apprentice to John Cuninghame of Enterkin. — Son of Walter Ewing, W.S.
Died 31st October 1733. Mar. 25th August 1698, Margaret, daughter of John
Rowan of Bedland.
I
66 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS TO THE SIGNET
EWING, WALTER. 16th October 1658.
Apprentice to John Semple. — Son of Ewing of Keppoch, Dumbartonshire.
Bied before 1674. 3Iar. 1st December 1665, Mary, eldest daughter of
Bryson of Craigtoun. Ee-admitted 11th July 1661.
FALCONEE, JAMES. 14th April 1884.
Apprentice to Thomas Jarron Gordon. — Son of Donald Falconer, residing at
Carmyllie, Forfarshire. Bom 9th June 1856.
FALL, GEOEGE. 24th December 1708.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Died 1726. Under-Keeper of the Signet, 2d
January 1710.
FAEQUHAR, AETHUE. 1st July 1837.
Apprentice to John Donaldson, and William Campbell of Queenshill. — Son of
James Farquhar, Surgeon in the Eoyal Navy. Bom 15th March 1813. Died
13th September 1887, unmarried.
FAEQUHAE, JOHN GEAY, of Gilmillscroft. 2d March 1826.
Apprentice to (1) John Bowie, and (2) George Dunlop. — Son of Lieut-Colonel
James Gray Farquhar, of Gilmillscroft, Ayrshire. Bom 1803. Died 5th July
1836, unmarried.
FAEQUHAESON, ALEXANDER 26th July 1703.
Apprentice to Alexander Alisone. — Died 16th April 1734. Mar. Helen Mar-
shall.
FAEQUHAESON, CHAELES, of Inverey and Achlossan. 8th November 1708.
Apprentice to Sir James Elphinstone. — Son of John Farquharson of Inverey,
Aberdeenshire. Died unmarried.
FAEQUHAESON, GEOEGE. 2d March 1826.
Apprentice to Vans Hathom. — Only son of Thomas Farquharson of Howden.
Died 13th July 1844, aged 50, unmarried.
FAEQUHAESON, JAMES, of Whitehouse.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627. Second son of Donald Farquharson of
Castleton of Braemar. Ee-admitted 15th Febraary 1661. Died 1666. Mar.
(1) Miss Hay, whose father was a lawyer in Edinburgh; and (2) Ann, daughter
of Colonel Gardyne, of the Eussian Service.
FEEGUS, JAMES. 4th July 1769.
Apprentice to William Eraser. — Son of John Fergus, Merchant in Edinburgh,
killed by the falling of the North Bridge, 3d August 1769. Alar. Susan Free-
bairn.
LIST OF MEMBEES 67
FEEGUSON, SIE ADAM, Knight. 23d November 1795.
Apprentice to (1) Lawrence Hill, and (2) Harry Davidson. — Son of Adam
Ferguson, Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Born
21st December 1770. Died 25th December 1854. Mar. 16th April 1821,
Margaret, daughter of John Stewart of Stenton, and widow of George Lyon
of Bucklersberry. Collector of Widows' Fund, 1803-5. Captain, 101st Foot,
February 1808 ; served during Peninsula. Knighted 1822.
FEEGUSON, JOHN. 28th January 1836.
Apprentice to David Welsh. — Son of James Ferguson, residing at Bennington.
Bom 24th March 1814. Died 8th November 1865, unmarried.
FERGUSON, THOMAS. 16th June 1807.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Second son of James Ferguson of Kinmundy,
Aberdeenshire. Barn 17th April 1768. IMed 28th May 1828. Mar. 9th
September 1802, Catherine, second daughter of James Cumine of Kininmonth.
FERGUSON, THOMAS. 22d June 1819.
Apprentice to Thomas Ferguson, his uncle. — Third son of James Ferguson of
Kinmundy. Born 21st July 1794. Died 30th January 1831. Mar. 6th October
1828, Barbara, second daughter of James Hutchison, Merchant, Peterhead.
FERGUSON, WELLWOOD ROBERTSON. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to William Ferguson and J. C. Junner. — Son of William Ferguson,
W.S. Born 25th April 1865.
FERGUSON, WILLIAM. 11th March 1818.
Apprentice to William Gracie. — Only son of Walter Ferguson, Candlemaker in
Edinburgh. Bom 2d September 1786. Died 15th March 1849. Mar. 18th
August 1815, Margaret, daughter of William Auchie, Edinburgh.
FERGUSON, WILLIAM. 17th July 1851.
Apprentice to Smith and Kinnear. — Son of William Ferguson, W.S. Born 25th
January 1829. Died 24th January 1887. Mar. 21st August 1855, Elizabeth
Eobertson, daughter of Rev. William Glendonwyn Crosbie, Minister of Parton,
Kirkcudbrightshire.
FEEGUSSON, HENRY DUNCAN. 15th February 1844.
Apprentice to Walker, Richardson, and Melville. — Sixth son of Sir James
Ferguson of Kilkerran, Bart. Bom 30th September 1817. Died 2 2d October,
1866. Mar. 16th June 1846, Anna, daughter of Eobert Nasmyth, F.E.C.S.,
Edinburgh.
FEEGUSSON, JAMES. 7th June 1797.
Apprentice to Alexander Keith. — Son of John Fergusson, Coppersmith in
Edinburgh. Died 26th May 1811. Mar. 12th January 1800, Isabella Anderson.
68 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
FERGUSSON, JAMES. 24th May 18U.
Apprentice to Joseph Cauvia — Third son of Neil Fergusson of Woodhill, Perth-
shire, Advocate. Born 1793. Died 19th May 1850, unmarried.
FERGUSSON, JOHN. 6th June 1707.
Died 1726.
FERGUSSON, JOSEPH GILLON, of Isle. 16th November 1871.
Apprentice to Alexander Maconochie Hare. — Son of Robert Don Gillon Fergusson
of Isle, Dumfriesshire. Born 14th January 1848. 3Iar. 24th January 1882,
Edith Mary Scott, daughter of James Scott Elliot of Blackwood, Dumfriesshire.
FERGUSSON, SAMUEL ROBERT, of Middlehaugii. 24th June 1835.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Son of James Fergusson of Middlehaugh, Perth-
shire. Born 29th May 1812. Died 26th September 1890. 3Iar. 21st April
1852, Janet, second daughter of Hugh Watson, Keillor, Forfarshire.
FERRIE, THOMAS BROWN. 25th November 1824.
Apprentice to Robert Strachan. — Son of Alexander Ferrie, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 10th February 1860, aged 58. Mar. Jessie Dickson.
FERRIER, ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 8th July 1796.
Apprentice to (1) David Erskine, and (2) James Dundas. — Second son of James
Ferrier, W.S. Bom 15th August 1773. Died 25th December 1814. Mar. 20th
January 1800, Catherine, eldest daughter of Francis Garden, Merchant, Greenock.
FERRIER, JAMES. 3d July 1770.
Apprentice to Archibald Campbell of Succoth. — Third son of John Ferrier of
Kirkland, Renfrewshire, and his wife Grizel, daughter and heiress of Sir William
Sandilands Hamilton, Bart., of Westport and Belsyde, Linlithgowshire. Boiti
1744. Died 18th January 1829. 3Iar. February 1767, Helen, daughter of
Robert Coutts, Montrose. Principal Clerk of Session, 25th May 1802 to 22d
June 1826. Father of Susan Edmonstone Farrier, novelist.
FERRIER, JOHN. 24th February 1794.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Ferrier, W.S. — Bom 25th October 1771.
Died 23d November 1857. Mar. 4th May 1804, Margaret, daughter of John
Wilson, Merchant in Paisley. Deputy-Keeper of the Great Seal.
FERRIER, JOHN WILSON. 21st November 1833.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Ferrier, W.S. — Barn 8th September 1810. Died
13th December 1845, unmarried.
FERRIER, THOMAS HENRY. 13th July 1848.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie Lindsay. — Son of Walter Ferrier, W.S. Borti
20th July 1822. Died 24th March 1887. Mar. 28th March 1871, Elizabeth,
daughter of the Rev. Samuel Key, of Fulford Hall, Patron and Vicar of the
parish of Fulford, Yorkshire.
LIST 0¥ MEMBERS 69
FERRIER, WALTER, of Toravon. 15th November ISIL
Apprentice to John Ferrier, his brother. — Sixth and youngest son of James
Ferrier, W.S. Bom 24th March 1784. Died 13th August 1856. Mar. 15th
December 1818, Henrietta, only daughter of Thomas Gordon, Merchant in
Dumfries.
FIELD, HENRY. 14th March 1872.
Apprentice to James Steuart. — Youngest son of the Rev. Edward Burch Field,
of Moreland, Kinross-shire. Barn 28th May 1847. Mar. 24th October 1878,
Joan Grassie, daughter of William Lawson, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
FIELD, JAMES HAMILTON. 13th May 1869.
Apprentice to John Brown Innes. — Eldest surviving son of the Rev. Edward B.
Field of Moreland, Kinross-shire. Barn 15th November 1843. Died 9th January
1879, unmarried.
FINLAY, GILBERT LAURIE. - 8th February 1816.
Apprentice to William Balderston. — Son of the Rev. William Finlay, Minister
ofPolmont. i/mi 29th September 1792. ZJiec^ 1st April 1872. ilfar. 6th May
1822, Grace Hunter, daughter of George Charles, M.D., Ayr. Manager of the
Edinburgh Life Assurance Company.
FINLAY, CHARLES PATRICK. 18th November 1858.
Apprentice to John Scott and Sir John Gillespie. — Fourth son of Gilbert Laurie
Finlay, W.S. Born 15th September 1833. Mar. 15th January 1861, Anne
Arabella, eldest daughter of Major-General Robert Stewart, H.E.I.C.S.
FINLAY, JOHN HOPE. 21st November 1867.
Apprentice to Alexander Forsyth Adam and John Kirk. — Son of Charles Finlay,
Assistant Clerk of Session. Born 13th January 1839. Mar. (1) 13th June 1878,
Jane Bertram, daughter of Alexander Ronaldson, Glasgow; and (2) 13th September
1883, Jane Ferguson, youngest daughter of Alexander Annandale and widow of
Alexander Duncan. Keeper of the Register of Sasines, 1888.
FINLAY, NINIAN JAMIESON. 25th May 1883.
Apprentice to John Cowan and James A. Dalmahoy. — Son of William Finlay,
M.D., Trinity. Bom 31st January 1858.
FINLAY, ROBERT, of Wallyford. 8th July 1796.
Apprentice to (1) Samuel Mitchelson, and (2) John Tait.— Eldest son of James
Finlay of Wallyford. Died 1 1th April 1808.
FINLAY, THOMAS, of Balchrystik. 24th May 1720.
, Apprentice to John M'Farlane.— Son of James Finlay of Balchrystie, Fifeshire.
Died June 1760. Attorney-at-law, Barbadoes.
70 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
FINLAYSON, WALTER. 10th March 1813.
Apprentice to Charles Bremner. — Son of William Finlayson, Depute-Clerk of the
Bills. Died at Jamaica, 21st December 1841, aged 60, unmarried. Stipendiary
Magistrate for district of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
FISHER, JOHN. 22d February 1838.
Apprentice to Walker, Richardson, and Melville. — Eldest son of Daniel Fisher,
S.S.C. Bm-n 17th July 1814.
FLEEMING, ROBERT. 5th May 1796.
Apprentice to Francis Strachan. — Son of Robert Fleeming, Printer in Edinburgh.
Died 26th July 1847, aged 76, unmarried.
FLEMING, ALEXANDER. 13th November 1816.
Apprentice to Sir William Drysdale. — Son of the Rev. Alexander Fleming, D.D.,
Minister of Hamilton. Born 1793. Died 27th July 1879. Mar. 14th March
1850, Euphemia, daughter of David Scott, Farmer, Northfield, Mid-Lothian.
FLEMING, HEW. 8th March 1726.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Died March 1737.
FLETCHER, ANGUS. 4th July 1822.
Apprentice to John Archibald Campbell — Second son of Archibald Fletcher,
Advocate. Died 6th March 1862, aged 63, unmarried. Relinquished the Legal
profession and became a Sculptor in London.
FLETCHER, ARCHIBALD, of Parkhill. 4th July 1783.
Apprentice to William Wilson. — Son of Angus Fletcher, Poobale, Glenlyon,
brother of Archibald Fletcher of Dunans. Born 1745. Died 20th December
1828. Mar. 16th July 1791, Eliza, daughter of Miles Dawson, Tadcastle. Having
been admitted Advocate 1791, struck off Roll of Society.
FLETCHER, or FLESHEOUE, DAVID. 19th 1594.
Brother of Robert Fletcher, Merchant Burgess, Dundee. Died about 1617.
FLETCHER, WILLIAM. 11th April 1887.
Apprentice to Robert Burt Ranken. — Fourth son of William Fletcher, Merchant
in Elgin. Bom 12th June 1861.
FORBES, ALEXANDER. 25th March 1635.
Apprentice to John Baird.
FORBES, ALEXANDER 6th December 1773.
Apprentice to John Watson. — Son of James Forbes of Balfour. Died 1 799.
FORBES, ALEXANDER. 20th July 1841.
Apprentice to James Shepherd. — Son of the Rev. George Forbes, of Bleloch and
Inverernan, Aberdeenshire. Born 8th October 1819. Died 1850, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 7>
FORBES, ANDEEW. SdJuly 1792.
Apprentice to John Eussell, junior. — Son of George Forbes, of Upper Boyndlie,
Aberdeenshire. Died 5th May 1795.
FORBES, ARTHUR, of Schives. 1st March 1697.
Apprentice to Sir James Elphinstone of Logie. — Fourth son of Sir John Forbes,
second Baronet of Craigievar. Bom 1669. Died 1726. Mar. Margaret Eraser.
FORBES, ARTHUR.
See Gordon, Arthur FoRBEa
FORBES, WILLIAM. 19th August 1720.
Apprentice to John Stewart. — Second son of Sir David Forbes of Newhall, Mid-
Lothian. Died 29th April 1771. Mar. 3d August 1722, Ann, daiighter of James
Nairn, one of the Bailies of Edinburgh. Fiscal, 8th November 1725.
FORBES, WILLIAM, of Castleton. 17th November 1825.
Apprentice to James Thomas. — Son of Robert Forbes of Castleton, Kincardine-
shire. Born 1799. Died 7th August 1872. Mar. 28th August 1849, Jane Duff
Grant, eldest daughter of Robert Watson, Banker, Forres.
FORMAN, ALEXANDER GEORGE. 2d July 1868.
Apprentice to (1) Edmund Baxter, and (2) John Naime Forman, his father.
—Bm-n 17th April 1845.
FORMAN, JAMES. 16th November 1784.
Apprentice to Alexander Abercromby. — Son of James Forman, tenant in Blackdub,
Stirling. Died 12th March 1824.
FORMAN, JOHN, of Staffa. 9th July 1801.
Apprentice to James Forman, his xmcle. — Eldest son of John Forman, Stirling.
Bmi 26th September 1775. Died 4th December 1841. Mar. 29th May 1805,
Hannah, daughter of the Rev. James Nairne, of Claremont, D.D., Minister of
Pittenweem.
FORMAN, JOHN. 30th November 1819.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Forman, W.S. — Died 12th September 1821.
FORMAN, JOHN NAIRNE, of Staffa. 22d November 1827.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Forman of Staffa, W.S. — Bom 6th April 1806.
Died 30th January 1884. Mar. 16th October 1835, Jane, only daughter of Robert
Mitchell of Airth, Stirlingshire.
FORMAN, JOHN. - 13th November 1862.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Naime Forman, W.S. — Bom, 4th January 1838.
Died 18th February 1882. Mar. 23d April 1872, Catherine, second surviving
daughter of B. G. Cooper of Hazel Grove, Cheshire.
Hi THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
FOEREST, JAMES. 25th June 1770.
Apprentice to John Bell. — Third son of John Forrest, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Born 1744. Died 1st July 1820. Mar. 10th December 1776, Catherine, only
daughter of James Forrest of Comiston, Mid-Lothian.
FORREST, JOHN ARTHUR. 15th July 1884.
Apprentice to John William Young and John Blair. — Third son of Lieut.-
Colonel Sir William Forrest of Comiston, Bart. Born 10th January 1860.
FORREST, THOMAS, of Kirkton. 23d November 1631.
Apprentice to John Ker. — Died 2d January 1652. Mar. (1) Janet Hay, (2)
Grizel Lockhart.
FORRESTER, ANDREW. 14th November 1872.
Apprentice to (1) J. C. Tait and H. H. Crichton, and (2) Donald Beith. — Son
of William Forrester of Glenmiln, Stirlingshire. Bm-n 22d July 1839. Mar.
1st September 1870, Margaret Crighton, daughter of Andrew Carmichael
Haddow of Little Galla, Lanarkshire.
FORRESTER, JOHN. 12th June 1823.
Apprentice to Alexander Goldie. — Son of the Rev. Alexander Forrester, Minister
of West Linton. £or» 3d March 1799. J'ied 11th September 1882. Mar. 8th
September 1829, Lilieas, daughter of Robert Cowan, Surgeon, Glasgow.
FORRESTER, WILLIAM 22d July 1682.
Apprentice to Andrew Young. — Son of Mr. Alexander Forrester, one of the
Ministers of the City of Edinburgh. Died October 1701. Mar. Rachel, daughter
of David Balfour of Forret, one of the Senators of the College of Justice.
FORSYTH, HENRY. 18th May 1837.
Apprentice to (1) James Swan, and (2) Donald Home. — Son of Robert Forsyth,
Advocate. Born 29th June 1814. Mar. 9th October 1846, Janet Spottiswoode,
daughter of John Sawers of Bell's Mills. Procurator-Fiscal at Forfar, 1847-1864.
FORTOUN, ROBERT.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.— ifar. 14th May 1607, Margaret Gibson.
FOTHERINGHAM, FREDERICK. 6th December 1791.
Apprentice to Thomas Innes. — Son of Dr. Robert Fotheringham, Physician in
Dundee. Died 16th December 1824. Mar.
FOTHERINGHAM, FREDERICK. 17th November 1814.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Fifth son of Alexander Ogilvy Fotheringham
of Powrie, Forfarshire. Bom 1792. Died 15th January, 1877, unmarried.
FOTHERINGHAM, HENRY. 23d November 1827.
Apprentice to (1) William Berry, (2) Alexander Kettle, and (3) John Forman. —
Eldest son of Henry Fotheringham, residing at the Inch, near Kincardine. Died
17th March 1842, aged 43, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBEES "W
FEANK, JOHN, of Bughtrig. 2(i January 1682.
Fiscal, 1684-6. Treasurer, 1686-91. Advocate, 16th June 1691. Died 1699,
aged 61. Mar. (1) 23d August 1674, Sarah Greer; and (2) 26th July 1690,
Agnes, daughter of William Syme, Advocate.
FEASEE, ALEXANDEE. 23d November 1795.
Apprentice to, and second son of, James Fraser, W.S. — Died 9th September 1816.
FEASER, ALEXANDEE DAVID. 10th March 1820.
Apprentice to Charles Tawse. — Youngest son of Simon Fraser of Farraline,
Inverness-shire. Born 1795. Died 6th October 1839, unmarried.
FEASEE, ANDEEW. 22d November 1832.
Apprentice to Eobert Roy. — Son of Angus Fraser, residing in Dornoch. Bmn
31st May 1805. Died 15th June 1873. Mar. 23d June 1841, Janet, youngest
daughter of Eobert Brown of Gilston. Sheriff-Substitute at Fort-William,
1838-1873.
FEASER, DONALD. 12th December 1796.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Son of the Rev. Paul Fraser, Minister at Craig-
neuk. Died 1802.
FEASEE, HUGH, of Struy. ' 7th February 1822.
Apprentice to James Eobertson. — Second son of Hugh Fraser, of Struy,
Inverness-shire. Died 2d December 1866.
FEASEE, JAMES, of Gortulleg. 29th July 1762.
Apprentice to William Fraser, of Balnain. — Son of Thomas Fraser, younger
of Gortulleg, Invemess-shire. Died 30th November 1805, aged 76, from injuries
received by his carriage being upset. Mar. 19th January 1769, Jean, eldest
daughter of Alexander Spalding of Holm, Kirkcudbrightshire.
FEASEE, JAMES JOHN. 29th November 1821.
Apprentice to Eobert Hill. — Son of Charles Fraser of Williamston, Aberdeen-
shire. Bcmi 1801. Died 3d June 1839, unmarried.
FEASER, JOHN, of Borlum. 29th June 1752.
Apprentice to William Fraser. — Son of John Fraser, Merchant in Inverness.
Died 17th August 1795, aged 84. Mar. (contract dated 30th October 1744)
Jean, eldest daughter of David Brown of Golf Hall, Edinburgh.
ERASER, SIMON, of Ford. 19th December 1767.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Fraser of Ford, W.S. — Died 25th
September 1819. Mar. 2d March 1784, Janet Cruickshank, daughter of Captain
Charles Douglas of Cliftonhall, Philadelphia.
K
c-
74 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
FRASER, WILLIAM, of Balnain. 2d February 1736.
Apprentice to (1) Hercules Scot ; and (2) Harry Maule. — Second son of Alexander
_ Fraser of Balnain. Died 10th December 1775. Mar. November 1748, Jane,
daughter of Archibald Macaulay of Ardencaple, Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
FRASER, WILLIAM, of Ford. 11th March 1740.
Apprentice to James Budge. — Son of William Fraser of Belforth. Died 3d
March 1767. 3Iai: 1738, Julian, daughter of John Campbell of Lochdochart.
FRASER, WILLIAM, of Glenmade. 21st June 1813.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Son of Luke Fraser of Glenmade, one of the
Masters of the High School of Edinburgh. Bam 1786. Died 26th September
1862. Mar. 30th April 1823, Bethia, daughter of Francis Taylor, Edinburgh.
FRASER, WILLIAM, Younger of Culbookie. 10th February 1825.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie and William Innes. — Eldest son of AVilliam
Fraser of Culbockie. Died 6th January 1829. Mar. 25th July 1826, Margaret,
eldest daughter of David George Sandeman of Springland, Perthshire.
FRASER, WILLIAM (Tertius). 20th November 1828. .
Apprentice to Francis Wilson. — Son of William Fraser, Edinburgh. Born 27th
November 1805. Died 8th April 1874. Afar. 17th July 1833, Margaret, youngest
daughter of John Torrance, Writer in Hamilton. Town-Clerk of theCanongate.
FRASER, WILLIAM STUART. 30th May 1861.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Fraser (tertius), W.S. — Born 3d October
1836. Mar. 14th April 1875, Annabella, youngest surviving daughter of George
Brooke Nelson, Solicitor, Leeds.
FREER, DAVID. 12th March 1788.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Second son of David Freer of Innernethy.
Born 1761. Died 22d January 1837, unmarried.
FRENCH, JOHN. 9th July 1829.
Apprentice to James Swan. — Youngest son of James French, Burnhouse, Lanark-
shire. Bom 9th May 1801. Died 16th September 1869. Mar. 30th January
1841, Christian, daughter of John Cameron, Woodville, Murrayfield.
FRENCH, JOHN, LL.B. 13th April 1886.
Apprentice to George Robertson and John H. Finlay. — Son of John French,
Merchant, Leith. Born 6th December 1859.
FULLARTON, ADAM. 24th November 1686.
Apprentice to John Muir. — Died about 1714. Mar. Agnes Scott.
FULLARTON, ROBERT, of Bartoniiolm. 10th August 1705.
Apprentice to Adam Fullarton. — Second son of George Fullarton of Fullarton and
Dreghorn, Ayrshire. Died September 1754. Mar. 15th March 1716, Grizel,
daughter of John Stuart of Ascog, Buteshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS W
FULLARTON, ROBERT, of Craighall. 18tli September 1714.
Apprentice to Adam FuUarton. — Eldest sou of Robert Fiillarton of Graighall,
Ayrshire. Died 23d March 1757. Mar. September 1713, Margaret, daughter of
John Wallace, Merchant, Edinburgh. Comptroller of the Customs.
FYFE, ALEXANDER. 20th August 1697.
Apprentice to Colin Campbell of Carvvhiu. — Died 3d April 1718. Mar. 17th
March 1696, Catherine Forbes, relict of George Watt, Writer, Edinburgh. Author
of Tlie Royal Martyr, King Clmrles I. : an Opera, 1705.
GAIRDNER, ROBERT.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594.
GAIRDNER, THOMAS. 17th June 1816.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Cathcart; and (2) John Kermack. — Son of Captain
Robert Gairdner of Mountcharles. Died 2d March 1860, aged 68. Mar. 16th
August 1831, Marion Dalrymple, daughter of John Montgomery.
GALBRAITH, DAVID STEUART, of JMachrichanisii. 27th May 1824.
Apprentice to Norman Lockhart. — Second son of Daniel Galbraith, Fanner in
Dunaltach. Bwn 9th October 1782. Died 27th December 1863. Mar. (1) 9th
June 1812, Elizabeth, only daughter of James Eraser, R.N., Plymouth; (2) 12th
May 1863, Elizabeth Alger.
GALBRAITH, JAMES ERASER. 23d February 1844.
Apprentice to James Stewart Ducat. — Eldest son of David Steuart Galbraith of
Machrichanish, Argyllsliire, W.S. lt»rn 22d August 1813. Died 27th March
1858. Mar. 1845, Cecilia Sarah De Lisle.
GALBRAITH, WILLIAM, LL.B. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to William S. Fraser. — Son of Thomas Littlejohn Galbraith, Sheriff-
Clerk of Stirlingshire. Bmi 22d October 1861.
GARDINER, JAMES, of Haughhead. 22d January 1835.
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas and Thomas Innes. — Son of the Rev. Matthew
Gardiner, D.D., Minister of Bothwell. Bmt, 19th May 1811. Died 8th December
1879. Mar. 16th October 1855, Charlotte, daughter of Louis Henry Ferrier of
Belsyde, and widow of Sir John Egton Campbell of Auchinbreck, Bart. Sheriff-
Substitute at Campbeltown, 1848-1879.
GARDNER, ALEXANDER. 30th June 1789.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Eldest son of Alexander Gardner, Fanner at
Reddoch, Stirlingshire. Died 1816.
GARDNER, HAMILTON GRAY. 22d June 1837.
Apprentice to John Hunter, jun. — Eldest son of Gilbert Ogilvy Gardner, residing
in Edinbui-gh. ifor/i 26th May 1814. />*«? 25th February 1863, unmarried.
76 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
GARDNER, JOHN. 21st December 1786.
Apprentice to Isaac Grant. — Eldest son of Alexander Gardner, Jeweller in Edin-
burgh. Died 1794. Attomey-at-law, Jamaica.
GARDNER, PETER. 28th December 1868.
Apprentice to Thomas G. Mackay and Alexander Howe. — Son of James Gardner,
Orchardbank, near Perth. Born 14th November 1835. Mar. 13th April 1881,
Georgiana Christian, daughter of James Swanston, Marshall Meadows, Berwick.
GARDNER, WILLIAM. 22d February 1813.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Craig. — Second son of Alexander Gardner,
Writer in Edinburgh. Bwn 1784. Died 11th June 1836, unmarried.
GARDYNE, JAMES CARNEGY, of Finhaven. 11th December 1810.
Apprentice to George Russell. — Second son of Thomas Camegy of Craigo, Forfar-
shire. Bm-n 3d November 1785. Died 6th June 1864, unmarried.
GARSON, WILLIAM. 18th March 1889.
Apprentice to W. F. Skene and Lewis Bilton. — Son of George Garson, Strom-
ness. Born 20th December 1855.
6ARTSH0RE, JAMES, of Alderston. 6th October 1729.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton of Pencaitland. — Son of Mr. James Gartshore,
Minister of Carmichael. Died 23d January 1774. Mar. (1) Jean, daughter of
Sir Patrick Scott of Ancrum, and widow of David Muirhead of Linhouse ; and
(2) June 1756, Helen, daughter of John Spottiswoode, Advocate.
GENTLE, JAMES. 8th July 1823.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Son of James Gentle, S.S.C. Born 5th January
1799. Died 5th October 1890, unmarried.
GIBSON, SIR ALEXANDER, of Durie.
Son of Sir Alexander Gibson of Duiie, one of the Senators of the College of
Justice. Commissioner, 18th October 1631. Clerk of Council and Session, 25th
July 1632. Knighted 15th March 1641. Lord Clerk Register, 13th November
1641. Raised to the Bench 2d July 1646 ; deprived 13th February 1649. Dkd
June 1656. Mar. Cecilia, daughter of Thomas Fotheringham of Powrie.
GIBSON, ARCHIBALD. 4th January 1630.
Apprentice to William Cunningham. — Died 1660. Mar. Rebecca Logan.
GIBSON, ARCHIBALD. 29th June 1661.
Apprentice to John Rowan. — Fourth son of Andrew Gibson, Burgess of Edin-
burgh, and brother to Alexander Gibson, Dean of Bower. Died September 1666.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 77
GIBSON, AECHIBALD. 5th July 1782.
Apprentice to Thomas Cockbum. — Only son of Rev. John Gibson, Minister of St.
Cuthbert's. Died 9th April 1845. Mar. (1) 22(1 September 1785, Grace, daughter
of Thomas Hogg, Merchant in Edinburgh ; and (2) May 1817, Helen Blackie.
GIBSON, HENRY GORDON. 29th May 1851.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Gibson, jun., W.S. — Born 20th March
1827. Died Bfch February 1869. Mar. 21st June 1860, Elizabeth Murray, eldest
daughter of Major J. M. Home, 36th Regiment.
GIBSON, JAMES.
See Craig, Sir James Gibson-.
GIBSON, JAMES THOMAS, LL.B. 13th AprU 1885.
Apprentice to Francis James Dewar. — Son of Robert Gibson, Merchant, Edin-
burgh. Born 3d February 1859.
GIBSON, JOHN. 19th November 1805.
Apprentice to John Hunter. — Son of Alexander Gibson, Town-Clerk of Paisley.
Died 1823. Mar. 4th December 1806, Agnes Mitchell, daughter of Ebenezer
Mason, Merchant, Edinburgh.
GIBSON, JOHN. 12th June 1818.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Archibald Gibson, W.S. — Born 1st February
1789. Died 31st January 1879. Mar. (1) 21st July 1818, his cousin, Catherine,
third daughter of John Dickson of Kilbucho, Peeblesshire, Advocate ; and (2)
10th April 1849, Mary Ann Mazyck, second daughter of Paul Weston, Physician,
Charleston, U.S.A. Treasurer, 1862-70.
GIBSON, JOHN (Tertitjs). 16th July 1819.
Apprentice to James Nairne. — Son of George Gibson, Merchant in Leith. Bvrn
15th January 1796. Di^d 14th September 1877. Mar. 14th September 1824,
Charlotte Ellen, eldest daughter of John Gordon, Edinburgh. Deputy-Keeper
of Great Seal, 1853-1858.
GIBSON, JOHN HENRY. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to Robert Strathem.— Son of Henry Gordon Gibson, W.S. Barn 1st
August 1862.
GIBSON, THOMAS. 26th August 1718.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville.— Son of Alexander Gibson of Dune, Fifeshire.
Died 6th April 1779. Mar. Jean, daughter of Colonel Thomas Dalyell of the
Scots Guards. Principal Clerk of Session, 29th July 1726 till death.
GIBSON, WILLIAM. 29th May 1878.
Apprentice to James Campbell Tait.— Son of Andrew Gibson, Auchinleck, Ayr-
shire. Bom. 27th July 1851. Mar. 31st March 1886, Jane Leyden, eldest
daughter of George M'Intosh, S.S.C, Edinburgh.
'm THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS TO THE SIGNET
GIFFORD, ADAM WEST. 13th April 1885.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black, and J. M. Mackenzie. — Son of
John Gifford, Edinburgh. £mn 12th January 1862.
GILCHRIST, DUGALD, Youngek of Opisdale. 23d June 1829.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis. — Eldest son of Dugald Gilchrist of Opisdale,
Sutherlandshire. Bmn 1804. Died 1st December 1834, unmarried.
GILCHRIST, JAMES. 28th November 1791.
Apprentice to Hugh Conie. — Eldest son of James Gilchrist, Merchant in Dumfi ics.
Died 28th August 1816. Mar. 2d August 1802, Jessie, daughter of Hugh Corrie
of Calloch, W.S.
GILKERSONE, JAMES. • 27th November 1655. '
GILLANDERS, GEORGE. 17th December 1829.
Apprentice to Richard Mackenzie and William Sharpe. — Second son of John
Gillanders of Highfield, Ros.s-shire. Born 1805. Died in India, 12th October
1846, unmarried.
GILLESPIE, SIR JOHN, Knight. 18th July 1844.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie and William Sharpe. — Second son of George
Gillespie of Biggar Park. Ilm-ii 3d May 1822. Mar. 18th March 1847, Margaret
Ross, daughter of George Robertson, one of the Deputy-Keepers of the Records.
Joint Secretary to the Royal Company of Archers. Knighted 1883.
GILLESPIE, JOHN HAMILTON. 21st April 1875.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Sir John Gillespie, Kt., W.S. — Born 14th October
1852. Mar. 17th September 1880, Mary Ann M'lvor.
GILMOUR, JOHN. 6th May 1598.
.«-; Commissioner, 26th December 1627. Died before 1638. Mar. Elizabeth Edmond.
Father of Sir John Gilmour of Craigmillar, Lord President.
GILMOUR, ROBERT. 12th July 1638.
Son of John Gilmour, W.S. — Died about 1647.
GILMOUR, ROBERT LITTLE. 4th March 1790.
Apprentice to Robert Sym. — Son of William Charles Little Gilmour of Liberton,
Mid-Lothian. Died 29th March 1820.
GLASS, ALEXANDER. 4th November 1695.
Apprentice to Robert Watson. — Died 8th February 1733. Mar. Jean Blackwood.
Joint Fiscal, 1699-1702. Treasurer of Society, 1714-22.
GLASS, WILLIAM. 18th November 1830.
j^, Apprentice to Walter Jollie. — Son of David Glass of Smiddygreen, Fifeshire.
Died 6th February 1857, aged 51, immarried. „ . .„,.-. ,,, ,., ,.<,,,,
LIST OF MEMBERS -^^ » 79
GLEN, ALEXANDER. 8th June 1804.
Apprentice to James Home of Linhouse. — Third son of the Rev. Alexander Glen,
Minister of Dirleton. Died 1841, aged 61, unmarried.
GLOAG, THOMAS, of Chapelton. 28th June 1793.
Apprentice to George Cuming. — Eldest son of John Gloag, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 4th January 1810. Mar. 21st September 1801, Elizabeth, daughter of
Captain John M'Intosh of Harwood.
GLOVER, JOHN. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to (1) John Bruce; and (2) A. T. S. Scott. — Son of Henry Douglas
Glover, Solicitor, Gatehouse-of-Fleet. Born 19th August 1865.
GLOVER, ^VILLIAM. 12th June 1823.
Apprentice to Peter Couper. — Son of John Glover, Wright in Leith. Died 17th
February 1864, aged 66. Mar. 22d September 1823, Jane, daughter of James
Cumming, Shipmaster in Leith.
GOLDIE, ALEXANDER, of Ryes. 25th January 1742.
Apprentice to, and son of, Thomas Goldie, W.S. — Died 1782. Mar. May 1747,
Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Heron, younger of Heron.
GOLDIE, ALEXANDER, of Broomlee. 17th October 1798.
Apprentice to Hugh Corrie. — Fourth son of James Goldie of Stenhouse. Died
26th December 1850, aged 80. Mar. 16th September 1799, Miss Corsan,
Baldoon.
GOLDIE, ARCHIBA1;.D WATSON. 5th March 1818.
Apprentice to James Gilchrist. — Second son of Archibald Goldie in Shaws of
Tinwald. Born 21st January 1793. Died 19th November 1872. Mar. (1) 14th
March 1833, Frances, daughter of Darcy Lever of Arklington Hall, Yorks; and
(2) 25th October 1860, Henrietta Townsend, daughter of Rev. George Vaughan
Hart, younger of Glen Alia, Donegal.
GOLDIE, JAMES. 17th February 1825.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Goldie, W.S. — Born 1801. Died 10th March
1834, unmarried.
GOLDIE, THOMAS. 26th March 1723.
Apprentice to William Alves. — Died 14th December 1741. Mar. Henrietta
Sharp, ^\"riter to the Privy Seal, 14th June 1733.
GOLDIE, WILLIAM, of Broomlee. 24th June 1835.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Goldie, W.S. — Born 9th August 1803. Died
7th August 1868. Mar. 28th May 1839, Mary, eldest daughter of Captain
Charles Hope Reid of Grangehill, Ayrshire.
80 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
GORDON, ADAM, of Arradoul and Caiknfield. 16th Jiuie 1796.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Second son of John Gordon of Cairnfield, BanflF-
shire. Bm-n 13th February 1773. Died 17th March 1847. Mar. 4th March
1799, Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Cruickshank of Stracathro, Forfarshire.
GOEDON, ADAM HAY, of Avochie. 15th November 1827.
Apprentice to John Gordon. — Second son of Major Adam Hay, of the 35th
Eegiment. Bom 18th September 1803. Died 8th April 1872. Mar. 13th April
1841, Anne M'Kerrel, eldest daughter of James Brown, Chartered Accountant,
Edinburgh. Assumed name of Gordon.
GOEDON, ALEXANDEE, of Cairnfield. 25th November 1723.
Apprentice to George Kennedy. — Son of Eobert Gordon of Lunan. Died 2l8t
February 1775, aged 87. Mar. (1) Elizabeth, daughter of Gordon of Cairnfield;
and (2) Jane, daughter of Gordon of Shillagreens.
GOEDON, AETHUE FORBES, of Eayne. 9th December 1830.
Apprentice to John Gordon, junr. — Son of Colonel Arthur Forbes of the 32d
Eegiment. Bam 2d June 1806. Died 27th August 1873. Mar. 20th April
1843, Charlotte, eldest daughter of Colonel William Balfour of Trenaby, Orkney.
GOEDON, ALEXANDEE SHAND. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to Henry Tod. — Son of Alexander Gordon, S.S.C., Edinburgh. Born
17th July 1867.
GOEDON, CHAELES, of Cluny. 15th July 1763.
Apprentice to WiUiam Eraser of Ford. — Second son of John Gordon of Cluuy,
Aberdeenshire. Died 8th May 1814. Mar. 8th November 1775, Joanna,
daughter of Thomas Trotter of Mortonhall, Mid-Lothian.
GOEDON, CHAELES. 7th July 1824.
Apprentice to John Ker. — Son of Charles Gordon, Advocate in Aberdeen. Died
12th October 1848, aged 47, unmarried.
GOEDON, DAVID HUTCHISON, of Larglanglee. 15th June 1837.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Fourth son of Eobert Gordon, Writer in Kirk-
cudbright. Bom 10th August 1813. Died 16th March 1878, unmarried.
Procurator-Fiscal of Kirkcudbright, 1839-78.
GOEDON, GEOEGE. 15th March 1720.
Apprentice to Eonald Campbell.— Z>/e(i 21st March 1747. Mar. 2d August 1727,
Katherine, daughter of James Cleland, Merchant, Edinburgh.
GORDON, GEORGE. January 1740.
Apprentice to James Craig. — Eldest son of George Gordon, Writer in Edinburgh,
Bom 1715. Died 16th October 1783. Mar. February 1747, Joan Mary, daughter
of Captain James Muirhead of Lauchope, Lanarkshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 81
GORDON, GEORGE MORE, of Chakleton. 29th June 1838.
Apprentice to Adam Gib and Robert Ellis. — Son of John Shank More, Advocate.
Born 21st March 1816. Mar. 10th August 1848, Janet, daughter of Harry
Gordon, Liverpool.
GORDON, GORDON CLUNES. 19th July 1842.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Joseph Gordon, W.S. — Born 29th May 1811.
Died 25th November 1843, unmarried.
GORDON, REV. HENRY. let July 1825.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Thomas Gordon, W.^.—Died 13th December
1880, unmarried. Licensed 1835 ; called to Presbyterian Church, Gananoque,
Canada, 1837; Moderator of Presbyterian Church of Canada, 1854.
GORDON, HUNTER. 3d June 1824.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Farquhar Gordon, W.S. — Died 1855,
aged 54, unmarried. Latterly a Barrister in London.
GORDON, JAMES.
Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 1631.
GORDON, JAMES. 12th November 1829.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie and William Innes. — Son of William Gordon
of Hallmyre, Peeblesshire. Died 11th March 1870. Mar. 18th July 1844,
Harriet, eldest daughter of J. Davis, Seatown.
GORDON, JAMES. 20th November 1845.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie and William R. Baillie. — Eldest son of the Rev.
Robert Gordon, D.D., one of the Ministers of Edinburgh. Born 24th July 1821.
Mar. 18th June 1852, Agnes Webster, second daughter of J. H. Millar, Merchant,
Glasgow. Sherifif-Substitute at Banff, 1853-77.
GORDON, JAMES FARQUHAR. 19th December 1794.
Apprentice to (1) John Gordon ; and (2) Adam RoUand. — Eldest son of John
Gordon of Balmoor, W.S. Died 23d December 1843. Mar. (1) 13th November
1797, Lilias, daughter of Charles Hunter of Burnside, Forfarshire; and (2) 1805,
Margaret, only child of Robert Haldane of Airthrey, Stirlingshire.
GORDON, JAMES ERASER. 15th July 1852.
Apprentice to Robert Mackay. — Son of William Gordon, residing at Minmore,
Banffshire. Born 7th September 1816. Died 1861. Mar. 27th July 1851,
Eleanor Sinclair, daughter of Archibald Leslie of Balnageith, Elginshire.
GORDON, JOHN, of Balmoor. 8th July 1763.
Apprentice to Leonard Urquhart. — Son of Alexander Gordon of Auchenlachries,
Aberdeenshire. Died 24th October 1789. Mar. 16th October 1770, Margaret,
daughter of James Stuart, of Binend, Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
L
82 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
aORDON, JOHN. 24th June 1774.
Apprentice to James Gartshore. — Eldest son of Thomas Gordon, Surgeon in
Dumfries. Bmit 1748. Died 27th October 1832. Mar. 21st July 1786, Jane,
eldest daughter of Thomas Shairp of Houstoun, Linlithgowshire.
GORDON, JOHN, of Carleton. 26th June 1789.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Son of Alexander Gordon of Carleton, Ayrshire. Died
13th March 1817. Mar. 24th June 1793, Margaret, only daughter of Dr. Jasper
Tough of Hillhead, Ayrshire.
GORDON, JOHN, of Avochie. 19th December 1794.
Apprentice to Andrew Steuart, Junr. — Eldest son of John Gordon of Avochie.
Boi'n 1771. Di£d 11th July 1842, unmarried. Deputy Receiver-General.
GORDON, JOHN TAYLOR, of Nethermuir. 18th November 1825.
Apprentice to James Heriot. — Second son of Maxwell Gordon, W.S. Bom 1801.
Died 24th June 1884. Mar. December 185.5, Margaret Grant, daughter of
Robert Watson.
GORDON, JOSEPH, of Carroll. 16th February 1804.
Apprentice to Charles M'Intosh. — Eldest son of Captain John Gordon of Carroll,
Sutherlandshire. Barn 1777. Died 7th March 1855. Mar. 30th July 1808,
Ann, youngest daughter of Gordon Clunes of Crakaig, Sutherlandshire. Clerk
to Admission of Notaries-Public, 1839-55.
GORDON, LACHLAN DUFF, of Park. 26th June 1769.
Apprentice to Alexander Stuart. — Fourth son of John Duff of Culben, Moray-
shire. Died 14th May 1808. Mar. 14th September 1781, Rachel, second daughter
of Roger Hog of Newliston, West-Lothian.
GORDON, MAXWELL, of Nethermuir. 28th June 1793.
Apprentice to (1) Colquhoun Grant; and (2) John Taylor.— Son of William
Gordon of Nethermuir. Died 24th December 1809. Mar. 30th March 1799,
Jane, daughter of John Taylor of Blackhouse, Ayrshire, AV.S.
GORDON, ROBERT. 18th August 1731.
Apprentice to James Budge. Died June 1740.
GORDON, ROBERT, of Edintore. 17th August 1798.
Apprentice to John Innes. — Eldest son of John Gordon of Grieshop and Edin-
tore, Elginshire. Died 1st August 1815. Mar. 30th August 1806, the widow of
Archibald Burnett, Bengal.
GORDON, ROBERT, of Baudarroch. 18th November 1830.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair. — Son of William Gordon, Senr., Writer in
Dumfries. Bm-ii 1807. Died 2d December 1883. Mar. 23d April 1840, S.nrah,
second daughter of Wilson Fisher, AVhitehavep.
^r-' LIST or MEMBERS 88
GOEDON, THOMAS. 24th July 1672. •
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton. — Eldest sou of James Gordon of Buthlay,
Aberdeenshire. Clerk of Justiciary, 6th November 1682. Died about 1697.
Mar. 9th September 1673, Janet Fletcher.
GORDON, THOMAS, of Whitburn. 5th July 1782.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart — Only son of the Rev. Thomas Gordon, Minister
of Speymoutli. Died 6th March 1845. Mar. 6th April 1785, Letitia, daughter
of M'Veagh, Manufacturer in Huntly.
GORDON, THOMAS. 12th November 1840.
Apprentice to James Macallan. — Fourth son of William Gordon of Campbelton,
Kirkcudbright. Born 14th February 1817. Died 9th October 1876. Mar. 6th
July 1847, Eliza Cecilia, third daughter of George Shaw Brooke, Jaffna, Ceylon.
GORDON, THOMAS JARRON. 22d July 1868.
Apprentice to James Hope and Robert Mackay. — Son of James Gordon,
Merchant in Forfar. Bom 15th October 1837. Mar. 22d August 1871, CaroHne
EUzabeth, only daughter of Henry Churton of West Mount, Cheshire.
GORDON, WILLIAM. 14th November 1664.
Apprentice to John Bayne. — Disd March 1680. Mar. 25th January 1666, Helen
Anderson.
GORDON, WILLIAM, of Greenlaw and Culvennan. 25th January 1742.
Apprentice to Thomas Goldie.— Only son of Sir Alexander Gordon of Earlstouu,
Bart. Bm-n 1706. Died October 1757. Mar. 1740, Isabella, daughter of John
M'Culloch of Barholm and Jean Gordon of Calvennan, his wife.
GORDON, WILLIAM. 5th July 1742.
Apprentice to (1) Hugh Somerville ; and (2) Archibald Stuart. — Son of Dr. John
Gordon, Physician in Aberdeen. Died 1788. Latterly a Solicitor in London.
GORDON, WILLIAM, of Rothney. 9th July 1789.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Only son of George Gordon of Rothney,
Aberdeenshire. Died 10th February 1824.
GORDON, WILLIAM, of Culvennan. 12th February 1824.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair. — Eldest son of David Gordon, Captain in the
Dumfriesshire Militia. Bm-n 17th August 1800. Died 27th January 1858.
Mar. 17th August 1825, Agnes Marian, third daughter of John Hyslop, London.
GORDON, WILLIAM JOHN. 27th October 1882.
Apprentice to Robert Strathern. — Son of John Gordon, Merchant in Dundee.
Barn 2d December 1857.
GO VAN, JOHN, OF Blalowan. 13th June 1806.
Apprentice to David Balfour. — Son of Dr. John Govan, Physician in Cupar.
Died 22d October 1861, aged 79, unmarried.
8« THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
GRACE, CHARLES STUART. 28th April 1882. ;i
Apprentice to Sir John Gillespie and Thomas Paterson. — Son of Stuart Grace,
Town-Clerk of St. Andrews. Bffrn 6th April 1859. Mar. 17th February 1885,
Ella Mary, eldest daughter of William Francis Lindesay of Fairieland, Ceylon.
GRACIE, JOHN BLACK. 29th November 1821.
Apprentice to Charles Oliphant. — Seventh son of John Gracie, Merchant in
Wanlockhead. Dkd 10th May 1847, aged 48. Mar. 1822, Jane Mitchell
Lebum. Principal Clerk of Commissary Court.
GRACIE, WILLIAM. 4th March 1805.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Eldest son of James Gracie, Accountant in
Dumfries. Died 24th March 1813. Mar. 24th January 1806, Elizabeth Emily,
eldest daughter of Thomas James of Hensingham Hall, Cumberland.
GRAEME, JAMES, of Garvock. 8th March 1827.
Apprentice to Roger Aytoun. — Eldest son of Robert Graeme of Garvock. Bom
23d July 1803. Died 12th December 1859. Mar. 26th June 1837, Helenade,
only surviving daughter of Charles De Jersey, Attorney-General at Guernsey.
GRAEME, JOHN, of Eskbank. 10th July 1770.
Apprentice to James Smyth. — Youngest son of Robert Graeme, brother to John
Graeme of Balgo wan, Perthshire. Died 19th September 1814. Mir. 29th June
1781, Mary Scott of Usan, Forfarshire.
GRAEME, ROBERT, of Well Hall. 14th May 1835.
Apprentice to Roger Aytoun. — Son of Robert Graeme of Garvock. Born 12th
June 1811. Died 13th October 1870. Mar. 28th April 1843, Anne, third
daughter of Patrick Baron Seton of Preston, Linlithgowshire.
GRAHAM, ALEXANDER SPEARS. 1st July 1830.
Apprentice to Tod and Hill. — Second son of Thomas Graham, residing in Leopold
Place, Edinbui-gh. Bm-n 1807. Died 1850. Mar. 1837, Eliza Stirling.
GRAHAM, HARRY. 20th November 1671.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Son of Robert Graham of Boshelholme.
Died 23d May 1699. Mar. 30th March 1677, Marion Hamiltoa
GRAHAM, HENRY CUNNINGHAM. 13th November 1834.
Apprentice to John Home. — Son of John Graham, Jeweller in Edinburgh. Born
1st January 1806. Died 11th April 1858. Mar. 14th April 1835, Jane
Forrester, eldest daughter of the Rev. Archibald Maconochie, minister of Bonkle.
GRAHAM, HUMPHREY. 10th March 1813.
Apprentice to David Thomson. — Eldest son of Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey
Graham, Chamberlain to the Duke of Argyll. Born 28th January 1789. Died
28th November 1868. Mar. 18th September 1826, Joanna, youngest daughter
ofAdam Wilson, D.C.S.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 8f
GRAHAM, JAMES, of Damside. 14th November 1726.
Apprentice to John Lumsdaine. — Son of Robert Graham of Kirkland, Town-
Clerk of Perth. Died 16th November 1763. Mar. (1) April 1728, Christian,
daughter of George Balfour of Balbirnie, Fifeshire; and (2) April 1740, Bethia,
daughter of James Deans of Woodhouselee, Mid-Lothian.
GRAHAM, REV. JAMES. 11th December 1788.
Apprentice to Lawrence Hill. — Son of Thomas Graham, Writer in Glasgow. Bm-n
22d April 1765. Died 14th September 1811. Mar. 17th March 1802, Janet,
daughter of Thomas Graham of Blatwood. Admitted Advocate 17th March
1795. Ordained 28th May 1809 ; Curate of Shipton, Gloucester, and of Sedgfield,
Durham ; Author of The Sabbath, and other Poems.
GRAHAM, JAMES HOPE STEWART, of Dunabbie. 2d November 1881.
Apprentice to William Stuart Fraser. — Son of James Graham of Dunabbie,
Dumfriesshire. Born 16th April 1856. Mar. 31st October 1888, Isabel, daughter
of Robert Carlyle, Waterbeck, Dumfriesshire.
GRAHAM, JOHN. 20th May 1800.
Apprentice to John Morison. — Son of John Graham, Farmer at Colleum. Died
1831.
GRAHAM, PATRICK, of Robshill. 25th November 1824.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Only son of John Graham of Robshill, Renfrew-
shire. Born 1799. Died 15th November 1867. Mar. 4th October 1831, Janet,
daughter of Allan Pollock of Faside, Renfrewshire.
GRAHAM, ROBERT. 17th March 1797.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Second son of James Graham of Duchraw,
Stirlingshire. Di^d 27th August 1818.
GRAHAM, THOMAS. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Eldest son of Archibald Graham of Drumquhassle,
Stirlingshire, Cashier to the Thistle Bank, Glasgow. Bwn 1793. Died 29th
June 1881. Mar. 14th March 1822, Agnes, daughter of Robert Veitch of
Hawthornbank.
GRAHAM, THOMAS EDWARD. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to John Clerk Brodie. — Son of James Graham, C.A., Glasgow. Born
5th June 1863.
GRAHAM, WILLIAM STIRLING.
See Stirling, William.
GRANGER, JOHN. 1st July 1790.
Apprentice to (1) William Wilson, Junr. ; and (2) Walter Scott. — Only son of
David Granger of Brokencross. Died 3d December 1828.
GRANT, ALEXANDER. 28th June 1787.
Apprentice to Isaac Grant. — Son of Patrick Grant of Nevie. Died 4th July 1808.
88 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
GRANT, COLIN CAMPBELL. 15th November 1860.
Apprentice to Allan Meuzies and Robert Blair Macouochie. — Son of the Rev.
James Grant, D.D., D.C.L., Edinburgh. Born 13th June 1830. Resigned his
Commission 9th November 1865. Called to the English Bar 1 7th November 1868.
GRANT, COLQUHOUN, of Burnside. 29th June 1759.
Apprentice to Alexander Steuart. — Second son of John Grant of Burnside. Died
2d December 1792. Served during the '45 in Prince Charles' Life Guards.
GRANT, DUNCAN, of Bught. 24th February 182.5.
Apprentice to Kenneth and Thomas Mackenzie. — Son of James Grant of Bught,
Inverness-shire. Born 1801. Died 9th December 1873. Mar. 21st December
1847, Catherine Monro, daughter of Alexander Warrand, M.D., H.E.I.C.S.
GRANT, FRANCIS JAMES. 10th January 1887.
Apprentice to (1) William Reid; and (2) Alexander Paterson Purves.— Second
son of John Grant, Marchmont Herald, Edinburgh, and nephew of James Grant,
Novelist. Bm'ii 4th August 1863. Carrick Pui-suivant of Arms, 1886.
GRANT, ISAAC, of Hilton. Ui July 1763.
Apprentice to James Gartshore. — Son of John Grant in Belnatomb. Died 27th
December 1794, aged 70. Clerk to the Commissioners of Teinds.
GRANT, JAMES, of Burnhall. 6th February 1792.
Apprentice to John Gordon. — Second son of Patrick Grant of Glenmoriston,
Inverness-shire. Born 1768. Died 16th June 1834. Mar. 27th July 1803,
Helen, daughter of Charles Shearer of Knowhead.
GRANT, JAMES. 19th June 1818.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Eldest son of Nathaniel Grant, S.S.C. Born 1790.
Died March 1844, unmarried.
GRANT, JOHN. 3d December 1729.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Died 26th May 1759. Mar. Catherine, daughter
of James Baird of Chesterhall, W.S.
GRANT, JOHN PETER. 8th July 1822.
Apprentice to John Kennack. — Son of the Rev. James Grant, Minister of Laggan,
and his wife, Ann Macvicar, the distinguished authoress. Born 1st June 1799.
Died 15th December 1870. Mar. (1) 16th March 1833, Margaret, youngest
daughter of Moses Steven of Polmadie, Renfrewshire; (2) 22d October 1840,
Robina, daughter of Robert Grant of Kincorth, Morayshire; and (3) 17th
November 1852, Jane Adinston, daughter of Walter Graham, M.D., Dalkeith.
GRANT, JOSEPH. 7th March 1815.
Apprentice to John Renton. — Only son of Allan Grant, Messenger-at-Arms. B<yrn
1793. Di^ 24th February 1873, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS Wf
GRANT, PATRICK. 8th December 1825.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Eldest son of Jame.s Grant, W.S. Died 18th
April 1870, aged 65. Mar. 6th August 1838, Emilia, daughter of Evan Baillie
ofDochfour, Inverness-shire. Sheiiff-Clerk of Inverness-shire, 1831-70.
GRANT, ROBERT, of Ruthrie. 8th March 1734.
Apprentice to Andrew Hay of Montblairie. — Eldest son of John Grant of
Ruthrie. Died 11th July 1783.
GRANT, ROBERT SIMPSON. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to John Cowan and James A. Dalmahoy. — Second son of William
•Tames Grant of Beldomie, Banffshire. Bom 16th August 1865.
GRANT, THOMAS MACPHERSON, of Cr.\igo. 23d November 1837.
Apprentice to James Shepherd. — Son of Sir George Macpherson of Ballindalloch,
Bart. Bm-n 30th June 1815. Dkd 23d September 1881, unmarried.
GRAY, ALEXANDER. 30th June 1760.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Son of John Gray, writer in Fochabers. Bied 14th
January 1780. Mar. (1) Margaret Alves ; and (2) October 1773, Ellen, daughter
of Archibald Stewart, Merchant, Edinburgh. Substitute-Keeper, 16th November
1762.
GRAY, ALEXANDER STEWART. 10th January 1887.
Apprentice to (1) James Gibson Craig Brodie ; and (2) John Little Mounsey. — Son
of William Gray, residing at Brownrigg, North Berwick. Bnrit 17th May 1862.
GRAY, ANDREW. 23d May 1820.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Eldest son of David Gray of Snipe, Tacksman
of Dalhousie Mains, Mid-Lothian. Bied 28th July 1846, aged 54, unmarried.
Collector of Fee Fund, Court of Session, 1844-5.
GRAY, GEORGE. 27th June 1839.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of George Gra}', Surgeon in Edinburgli. Born
3d December 1808. Mar. (1) 1839, Martha Moses; and (2) 22d February 1887,
Helen, daughter of William Wright, M.D., Edinburgh, and widow of John
Wright, M.D., Lochgilphead.
GRAY, GEORGE ADINSTON. 18th December 1826.
Apprentice to (1) Walter Dickson of Monybuie; and (2) George Dunlop. — Son of
David Gray of Snipe, Mid-Lothian. Died 29th June 1851, aged 51, unmarried.
GRAY, JAMES. 16th February 1710.
Apprentice to John Montgomerie. — Mar. Isobel White. JMed November 1733.
GRAY, JOHN. 1st July 1763.
Apprentice to John Dickie. — Eldest son of William Gray of Newholm. Bied
15th February 1811. Mar. Marion, daughter of the Rev. James Brown, one of
the Ministers of Edinburgh. Town-Clerk of Edinburgh, 1786-1811.
8B THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
GRAY, JOHN. 24th June 1824.
Apprentice to Francis Brodie and George Imlach. — Third son of John Gray,
Solicitor at Law. Died 16th October 1868, aged 70. Mar. 17th April 1837, his
cousin, Harriet Louisa, daughter of Andrew Gray of Craigo.
GREENLAW, GEORGE. 30th January 1797.
Apprentice to Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood. — Son of the Rev. Michael
Greenlaw, D.D., Minister of Creich. Died 12th December 1834, aged 65. Mar.
15th July 1808, Katherine, daughter of George Makgill of Kemback, Fifeshire.
GREIG, ALEXANDER, of Hallgreig. 5th March 1801.
Apprentice to (1) William Campbell of Crawfordton; and (2) James Home. —
Eldest son of David Greig of Hallgreig. Bwn 1776. Died 29th March 1867.
Mar. 8th January 1810, Jane, daughter of John Whittet of Potterhill, Perth.
Solicitor to Admiralty, 1807.
GREIG, DAVID. 6th March 1817.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Son of the Rev. David Greig, Minister of the
Associate Burgher Congregation of Lochgelly. Died 26th January 1825. Mar.
12th July 1824, Catherine, daughter of Joseph Maxton, Edinburgh.
GREIG, GEORGE, of Eccles. 13th July 1848.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Greig, W.S. — Bom 12th March 1823. Died
19th June 1869. Mar. 24th July 1866, Isabella Dickson, younger daughter of
William Richardson Dickson of Alton, Roxburghshire.
GREIG, JAMES, of Eccles. 4th March 1805.
Apprentice to Robert Hill. — Son of George Greig of Bridgend, near Kinross.
Bom 10th March 1782. Died 10th December 1859. Mar. 10th October 1820,
Agnes, second daughter of John Borthwick of Crookston, Mid-Lothian.
GREIG, JAMES, of West Cambus. 11th December 1823.
Apprentice to James F. Gordon. — Son of John Greig, Ironmonger in Edinburgh.
Bom 19th April 1798. Died 25th December 1850. Mar. 11th September 1827,
Agnes Helen, daughter of Peter Macfarlane of West Cambus, Clackmannanshire.
GREIG, JOHN BORTHWICK. 7th May 1859.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Greig of Eccles, Berwickshire, W.S. — Bom
2d May 1824. Mar. 12th August 1857, Mary Jane, eldest daughter of William
Grant of Funchal, Madeira. Parliamentary Solicitor to Society.
GREIG, SOMMERVILLE. 3d March 1861.
Apprentice to John Auld. — Son of James Greig of West Cambus, W.S. Bom
6th November 1835.
GRIERSON, ANDREW. 1st March 1832.
Apprentice to Andrew Tawse. — Son of Andrew Grierson, Clothier in EdinburgL
Borii 1st January 1808. Died 9th October 1876, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS 89
GRIERSON, THOMAS. 30th June 1789.
Apprentice to Andrew Blane. — Son of David Grierson, Fanner, Cubbox, Kirk-
cudbright. Died 5th September 1826.
GRIERSON, WILLIAM. 16th May 1818.
See YoRSTOUN, William Gkierson.
GRIEVE, ANDREW. 24th May 1821.
Apprentice to John Ross. — Son of John Grieve, Civil Engineer in Edinburgh.
Died 6th May 1870, aged 73. Mar. 1843, Louisa, daughter of Captain Salmond,
H.E.LC.S.
GUILD, JOHN ERSKINE. 15th July 1886.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, Harry Cheyne, and John Kermack. — Son of
John Guild, Merchant, Dundee. Bwn 23d June 1860.
GULLAND, WILLIAM. 18th June 1856.
Apprentice to Thomas Gray Scott. — Eldest son of Charles GuUand, Writer in
Falkland. Born 19th December 1828.
GUTHRIE, ALEXANDER. 4th January 1698.
Apprentice to James W^inraham. — Died 30th September 1729. Mar. 11th
September 1700, Jean, daughter of James Menteith, of Auldcathie, West-
Lothian.
GUTHRIE, JAMES.
Died before 1649.
GUTHRIE, JAMES. 25th February 1720.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Guthrie, W.S. — Died March 1737.
Mar. Jean Dickson. Author of An Introduction to the Knowledge of Decimal
Arithmetic, 1731.
GUTHRIE, JOHN. 20th April 1688.
Apprentice to William Guthrie.
GUTHRIE, LAWRENCE ANDERSON. 15th July 1886.
Apprentice to Patrick William Campbell. — Son of Patrick Guthrie, Merchant in
Edinburgh, and grandson of Rev. Thomas Guthiie, D.D. Born 16tli June 1863.
Mar. 30th July 1890, Helena Elizabeth Mary, only daughter of James Muirhead,
Advocate, Professor of Civil Law, Edinburgh University.
GUTHRIE, RICHARD.
Signs the Acts of 7th December 1612.
GUTHRIE, RICHARD. 14th December 1627.
Servitor to John Shairp of Houston, Advocate. — Re-admitted 21st November
1661. Resigned his Commission, and died January 1664.
M
90 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
GUTHRIE, WILLIAM. 7th March 1664.
Apprentice to Richard Guthrie. — Died January 1673. Mar. Mary, daughter of
Richard Guthrie, W.S.
HAGART, JAMES VALENTINE-. 12th November 1868.
Apprentice to Archibald Burn Murdoch. — Son of James Valentine-Hagart of
Glendelvine, Perthshire, S.S.C. Bi/rn 1845.
HAIG, JAMES, OF Bemersyde. 15th November 1827.
Apprentice to Hugh Watson. — Eldest son of James Haig of Bemersyde, Berwick-
shire. Bffrn 4th October 1795. Died 14th January 1854, unmarried.
HALDANE, FRANCIS GROVE. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to W. J. Dundas. — Son of James Haldane, C.A Bom 30th
November 1866.
HALDANE, JAMES ALEXANDER. 12th December 1867.
Apprentice to, and son of, Robert Haldane, W.S. — Born 11th December 1844.
Mar. 22d July 1868, Sarah Jean, only child of John Reid, Cape Town.
HALDANE, ROBERT, of Cloanden. 5th March 1829.
Apprentice to John Yule. — Son of Captain James Alexander Haldane, H.E.I.C.S.
Bern 27th January 1805. Died 12th June 1877. Mar. (1) 20th July 1841,
Jane, daughter of John Makgill of Kemback, Fifeshire ; and (2) 27th July 1853,
Mary Elizabeth, second daughter of Richard Burdon Sanderson of West Jesmond,
Northumberland.
HALDANE, WILLIAM CUNINGHAME. 16th December 1824.
Apprentice to Robert Fleming. — Second son of John Haldane, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Died at Wollongong, N.S.W., 4th July 1844, aged 43. Mar. 22d August
1833j Catherine Anne, fifth daughter of Alexander Miller of Monkcastle.
HALDANE, WILLIAM STOWELL, B.L. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to Alexander Howe and William Macgillivray. — Son of Robert
Haldane, W.S. Bwn 19th August 1864.
HALDIN, GEORGE. 25th May 1635.
Apprentice to Harry Osbum. — Died about 1660. Mar. Isabel Dundas.
HALIBURTON, ANDREW. 26th August 1699.
Apprentice to David Haliburton. — Third son of Thomas Haliburton of Newmains,
Berwickshire. Bmi 9th March 1673. Died 20th February 1738. Mar. 18th
April 1700, Marion, second daughter of Robert Elliot of Middlemiln, Roxburgh-
shire.
HALIBURTON, ANDREW. Ist July 1763.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Son of James Haliburton, W.S. Resigned his
Commission 8th August 1785, and Died 26th January 1794, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBEES 91
HALIBUETON, DAVID. 4th December 1693.
Apprentice to James Peter. — Son of Thomas Haliburton of Newmains, Berwick-
shire. Died 29th April 1697, aged 58, unmarried.
HALIBURTON, JAMES. 8th March 1726.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton of Dechmont. — Dkd 25th November 1773.
Mar. 6th April 1726, Euphan, daughter of Andrew Dennet, Merchant, Edin-
burgh.
HALL, JOHN SHARP. 9th July 1821.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Son of the Rev. James Hall, Minister of Lesmaha-
gow. Born 1797. Died at Halifax, Nova Scotia, 30th September 1885. Mar.
Margaret Fleming.
HALL, ROBERT. 8th July 1828.
Apprentice to John Forman. — Son of Robert Hall, one of the Magistrates of
Edinburgh. Bom 1804. Died 12th July 1840, unmarried.
HALYBURTONE, GEORGE.
Reponed 30th May 1636.
HAMILTON, ALEXANDER, of Hill. 16th July 1642.
Apprentice to James Kirkwod. — Eldest son of James Hamilton of Hill, Lanark-
shire. Died March 1672. Mar. Marion Elies.
HAMILTON, SIR ALEXANDER, of Haggs, Bart. 15th July 1700.
Apprentice to William Forrester. — Son of Sir Alexander Hamilton, first Baronet
of Haggs.
HAMILTON, ALEXANDER, of Dechmont and Pencaitland. 6th November 1711.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville.— Second son of James Hamilton of Pencaitland,
East-Lothian, W.S. Died 21st March 1758. Mar. Mary, eldest daughter of Sir
Francis Kinloch of Gilmerton, Bart.
HAMILTON, ALEXANDER. 31st May 1827.
Apprentice to James Hamilton of Kames. — Son of Charles Hamilton, Merchant
in Glasgow. Born 1797. Died 1st January 1884. Mar. 3d November 1836,
Margaret Chisholm, only daughter of Richard Laiidreth, of Island of Grenada ;
and (2) 15th July 1845, Mary Chisholm, eldest daughter of Charles Robertson
of Kindeace, Ross-shire.
HAMILTON, ANDREW, of Spittalhaugh. 3d July 1781.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Son of Charles Hamilton of Spittalhaugh, Peebles-
shire. Died 3d May 1807.
HAMILTON, ARTHUR.
Signs Minute 16th December 1594. Died about 1629.
98 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
HAMILTON, DANIEL, of Gilkerscleugh. 29th June 1786.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Third son of Alexander Hamilton of Gilkers-
cleugh, Lanarkshire. Died 30th June 1823. Mar. 20th December 1793, Harriet,
second daughter of Walter Campbell of Shawfield, Lanarkshire.
HAMILTON, ERNEST. 27th October 1882.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton, George Thomas Kinnear, and Robert Beat-
son. — Son of Alexander Hamilton, W.S. Born 23d March 1859.
HAMILTON, FRANCIS. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to James Bridges. — Son of William Hamilton, Writer in Hamilton.
Died 1858, aged 52. Mar. 2d November 1829, Mary Stevenson, eldest daughter
of Captain D. Mackintosh, Royal Highlanders.
HAMILTON, JAMES, of Pencaitland. 19th February 1683.
Apprentice to Sir James Elphinstone. — Second son to Robert Hamilton of Pres-
mennan. Died 30th May 1729. Mar. Catherine, daughter of Denholm of
. Westshiells. Clerk Register, 27th February 1697. Clerk of Parliament. Princi-
pal Clerk of Session, 2d June 1697. Elevated to the Bench 8th November 1712,
when he assumed the title of Lord Pencaitland; resigned 1726.
HAMILTON, JAMES, of Kajies. 5th March 1801.
Apprentice to Daniel Hamilton, his brother. — Youngest son of Alexander Hamil-
ton of Gilkerscleugh. Died 5th January 1849, aged 72. Mar. 12th December
1809, Harriet Frances, daughter of Richard Wynne of Folkingham, Lincoln-
shire.
HAMILTON, JOHN. 15th March 1644.
Apprentice to John Mudie. — Re-admitted 21st November 1660.
HAMILTON, JOHN. 24th October 1678.
Apprentice to William Charteris.
HAMILTON, JOHN. 2d January 1682.
Apprentice to Robert Hamilton of Presmennan, his uncle. — Son of Mr. James
Hamilton, Minister of Eaglesham. Mar. (1) Rachel Sandilands; and (2) 4th
April 1684, Agnes, daughter of William Law of Lauriston, and sister of the
financier.
HAMILTON, JOHN, of Newton. 3d March 1707.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Son of William Hamilton of Wishaw. Died
25th January 1757, aged 78. Mar. Jean, daughter of Gartshore of that Ilk.
HAMILTON, JOHN. 30th July 1716.
Apprentice to John Loutfoot. — Fiscal, 1726-28. Resigned his Commission
27th June 1748.
LIST OF MEMBERS 90
HAMILTON, JOHTSr. 2d March 1826.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Second son of Captain John Hamilton of 73d
Regiment. Died 25th January 1870, aged 77, unmarried. Substitute-Keeper of
the Signet, 1831-67. Admitted Advocate 8th July 1815.
HAMILTON, PATRICK.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
HAMILTON, ROBERT, of Presmennan. 24th March 1648.
Apprentice to Thomas Forrest. — Son of James Hamilton of Barncleugh, Lanark-
shire. Died 10th November 1695, aged 73. Mar. Marion, eldest daughter of John
Denholm of Muirhouse. Re-admitted 21st November 1661. Principal Clerk of
Session, 5th June 1661. Resigned his Commission 3d February 1668. Admitted
Advocate 13th June 1677. Elevated to the Bench 1st November 1689, when he
assumed the title of Lord Presmennan.
HAMILTON, ROBERT. 12th April 1648.
Apprentice to John Mudie. — Died 1687. Mar. 10th January 1656, Elizabeth
Wellwood. Clerk to Society 1660-81. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
HAMILTON, ROBERT. 12th March 1736.
Apprentice to James Baillie. — Died November 1742.
HAMILTON, ROBERT. 24th June 1830.
Apprentice to John Bowie. — Son of John Hamilton, Receiver-General of
Customs. Born 1806. Died 21st June 1872. Mar. 13th July 1840, Christina
Crawfurd, daughter of Rev. Thomas Macknight, D.D., Edinburgh.
HAMILTON, WILLIAM. 22d November 1680.
Apprentice to John Sempill. — Son to Archibald Hamilton of Hallcraig, Lanark-
shire.
HAMILTON, WILLIAM. 29th October 1697.
Apprentice to James Hamilton of Pencaitland. — Third son of Robert Hamilton
of Presmennan, East-Lothian. Died unmarried.
HAMILTON, WILLIAM. 22d February 1793.
Apprentice to John Tait, Senior. — Son of William Hamilton, Writer in Mauch-
line. Died 24th December 1822.
HANDYSIDE, HUGH. 29th June 1827.
Apprentice to Robert Paul. — Son of Hugh Handyside, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 3d November 1867, aged 64. Mar. 3d September 1834, Ann Innes, fourth
daughter of Captain William Anderson, 96th Regiment.
HANDYSIDE, WILLIAM. 12th July 1791.
Apprentice to Charles Innes. — Son of Robert Handyside at Whitehill. Born
19th June 1764. Died 17th January 1816. Mar. 5th June 1797, Jane, daughter
of William Cunningham of Bridgehouse. Father of Lord Handyside.
Ml THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
HANNAY, JOHN, of Over-Laggan. 22d November 1821.
Apprentice to (1) Joseph Cauvin ; and (2) James Camegy. — Fourth son of James
Hannay of Blarinde, Kirkcudbrightshire. Bmi 1798. Died 26th April 1868.
Mar. 15th September 1824, Eliza Sproat, daughter of J. Kennedy, Dalton,
Dumfriesshire.
HARDIE, NICOLL. 26th November 1668.
Apprentice to John Muir. — Son of Robert Hardie, Burgess in Edinburgh. Died
February 1689. Mar. 25th July 1669, Mary Clerk.
HAEDYMAN, JOHN HAY. 15th November 1838.
Apprentice to Humphrey Graham. — Only surviving son of William Henry
Hardyman, Commander in East India Company Service. Bm-n 2d July 1814.
Died 9th February 1871. Mar. 28th November 1861, Annabella Gibson, daughter
of William Paton, Armagh, and relict of Stewart Maxwell. Assistant Extractor,
Court of Session, 1853-71.
HARE, ALEXANDER MACONOCHIE. 14th July 1864.
Apprentice to Robert Blair Maconochie. — Son of Stewart Bayley Hare of Calder-
hall, Mid-Lothian. B(mi 14th January 1838. Died 14th October 1876, unmarried.
HARLAW, JAMES.
Died about 1600.
HARLAW, JAMES. 1599.
Son of James Harlaw, W.S.—Died 28th August 1617, aged 44. Mar. 23d April
1606, Margaret Purves. Keeper of the Privy Seal.
HART, DAVID.
Being at the horn, suspended 27th January 1608.
HARTLEY, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS. Hth April 1887.
Apprentice to F. Pitman, J. R. Anderson, W. H Mun-ay, and A. R. C. Pitman. —
Son of William Hartley, Factor to the Eai-1 of Mansfield at Comlongan Castle,
Dumfriesshire. B&rn 15th July 1861.
HARVEY, JOHN. 10th December 1789.
Apprentice to (1) Michael Nasmyth; and (2) Colquhoun Grant — Second son of
Dr. John Harvey, physician in London. Died 13th December 1832, aged 70,
unmarried.
HARVIE, THOMAS.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Died 2l8t January 1602.
HASWELL, JAMES. 12th November 1869.
Apprentice to Thomas Graham Murray. — Eldest son of George Haswell, Writer
in Edinburgh. Bcn-ii 31st May 1842. Died 18th March 1873, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS 85
HATHORN, VANS, of Changue and Garthland. 3d July 1781.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Second son of Hugh Hathom of Castlewigg,
Wigtownshire. Born 1753. Died 14th October 1839. Mar. 19th September
1814, Jane, eldest daughter of Sir John Dalrymple Hay, of Park Place, Bart.
HATTON, JAMES. 2d July 1829.
Apprentice to (1) James Pedie; and (2) James Thomas Murray. — Son of David
Hatton, Carver and Gilder in Edinburgh. Died 28th September 1866, aged 61.
Mar. Anne, daughter of John Traquair of Hillhead, Lasswade.
HATTON, ROBERT. 30th June 1831. 4
Apprentice to William Renny. — Son of David Hatton, Carver and Gilder in Edin-
burgh. Born 29th November 1804. Died 24th November 1838. Mar. 13th
August 1830, Marion Joan, daughter of John Traquair of Hillhead, Lasswade.
HAY, ADAM.
See Gordon, Adam Hay.
HAY, ALEXANDER.
Son of John Hay, and grandson ol Sir Alexander Hay of Easter Kennet. — Com-
missioner 18th October 1631. Clerk of Council and Session.
HAY, ALEXANDER. 19th August 1718.
Apprentice to Patrick Murray. — Died 6th October 1744. Mar. (1) Ist June 1721,
Jean, daughter of Mr. Robert Cheyne, one of the Ministers of Edinburgh ; and
(2) Katherine Lumsden.
HAY, ALEXANDER, of Hardengreen. Ist July 1819.
Apprentice to Francis Wilson. — Son of James Hay, Assistant Clerk of Session.
Born 11th August 1796. Died 18th December 1854. Mar. 24th November 1834,
Jane, youngest daughter of Robert Brown of Westbarns, East-Lothian.
HAY, ANDREW, of Haystoun.
Signs the Acts 7th December 1612. Son of John Hay of Kingsmeadows, Peebles-
shire. Died 1655. Mar. Janet Hay.
HAY, ANDREW, of Montblairie. 23d November 1719.
Apprentice to John Stewart, Senr. — Son of James Hay of Rannes, Aberdeenshire.
Died 5th December 1750. Mar. (1) Mary, second daughter of Sir Alexander
Ogilvy of Forglen, Lord of Session; and (2) 1721, Mary, daughter of George
Allardice of that Ilk.
HAY, CHARLES. 14th November 1800.
Apprentice to William Balderston. — Son of Alexander Hay of Mordington,
Berwickshire. Died in Ceylon 27th December 1819.
HAY, DANIELL.
Reported not having an " open buith " 1607. '•
96 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
HAY, FRANCIS, of Balhousie.
Son of Peter Hay of Kirkland of Megginch, brother of George, first Earl of
Kinnoull. Died before 1661. Mar. Margaret, daughter of James Oliphant of
Bachilton, Perthshire. Fined £2000 by Cromwell's Act of Grace and Pardon
1654. Commissioner, 26th December 1627.
HAY, JAMES, OF Carriber. 16th August 1671.
Apprentice to William Charters and John Kennedy. — Second son of David Hay
of Woodcokdale, Linlithgow. Died December 1702. Mar. Magdalen Robertson.
HAY, JAMES, OF Cocklaw. 9th December 1728.
Apprentice to Andrew Hay of Montblairie. — Second son of Adam Hay of Asleid.
Died 20th June 1771. Mar. (1) July 1733, Ann, daughter of Alexander Far-
quharson, W.S. ; and (2) July 1746, Agnes, daughter of John Moodie of Ardbikie,
Forfarshire.
HAY, JAMES. 3d August 1742.
Apprentice to Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan.— Second son of Lord
WilUam Hay of Newhall, Mid-Lothian. Died 31st May 1779. Mar. October
1744, Jane, daughter of John Henderson of Liston, Haddingtonshire. Warden of
the Mint, 24th March 1744-79.
HAY, JAMES. 3d July 1778.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Son of James Hay, W.S. Died 6th June 1788.
HAY, JAMES. 13th July 1780.
Apprentice to (1) William Hay; and (2) John Syme. — Eldest son of William
Hay, W.S. Died 1794.
HAY, JAMES. 30th June 1789.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Eldest son of John Hay, younger of Hopes, East-
Lothian. Died 15th October 1821. Mar. 11th July 1798, Matilda Hay, daughter
of Captain John Clark, H.E.I.C.S., and widow of Alexander Falconar of Woodcot.
HAY, JOHN.
Commissioner, 4th December 1595. Mar. 26th May 1602, Maria Johnston.
HAY, JOHN, OF Restalrig. 1st March 1726.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Second son of Alexander Hay of Huntingdon,
East-Lothiau. Died 6th December 1784. Mar. December 1727, Anne, daughter
and heiress of James Elphinston of Restalrig, Mid-Lothian. Treasurer to Prince
Charles, whom he accompanied to France. Attainted, 1746. Fiscal, 1732-34.
Treasurer, 1736-46. Substitute-Keeper, 1725-41, 1742-46.
HAY, ROBERT. '^^^ "^^''^ ""' 13th June 1646.
Apprentice to Thomas Forrest. — Eldest son of Robert Hay, Writer in Edinburgh.
Mar. Christian Rae. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
LIST OF MEMBEES 97
HAY, WILLIAM, or Crawfordton. 13th January 1755.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Son of James Hay, Physician in Dumfries. Died
13th June 1776. Mar. January 1752, Mary, daughter of Ludovick Cant of
Thurston, East-Lothian.
HAY, WILLIAM, of Craufordton. 20th June 1769.
Apprentice to James Hay of Cocklaw. — Son of Dr. James Hay, Physician in
Dumfries, and brother-uterine of Alexander, Lord Banff. Died 25th December
1796. Mar. Mary, daughter of Samuel Forbes of Knapperny, Aberdeenshire.
HAY, WILLIAM WARING. 24th May 1821.
See Newton, William Waring Hay.
HEART, J.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
HECTOR, DAVID. ' 6th December 1827. .
Apprentice to Charles Oliphant. — Youngest son of John Hector, residing in
Aberdeen. Born 1802. Died 23d December 1874. 3Iar. 16th November 1855,
Mary Charlotte, daughter of William Hay, of Laxfirth, Zetland. Admitted
Advocate, 10th February 1837. Advocate-Depute, 1852. Sheriff of Galloway,
1861.
HEGGIE, GEORGE, of Pitlessie. 15th May 1817.
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Son of James Heggie, Merchant in Kirkcaldy,
and grandson of George Heggie of Pitlessie, Fifeshire. Died at Moulmein,
East Indies, 5th January 1842, aged 50, unmarried.
HENDERSON, ALEXANDER. 6th June 1691.
Son of William Henderson, W.S. Died 1697.
HENDERSON, JAMES, of Pittadro. 11th December 1682.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Henderson, W.S.
HENDERSON, JOHN. 25th November 1824.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Second son of William Henderson of Scotscalder.
Sheriff-Substitute of Caithness. Born 21st December 1800. Died 25th August
1883. Mar. 10th August 1829, his cousin, Barbara, daughter of William
Henderson, Edinburgh. Author of Notes of Caithness Family History.
HENDERSON, RICHARD. 7th June 1797.
Apprentice to Charles Stewart. — Eldest son of Archibald Henderson, Merchant
in Glasgow. Died 30th June 1820. Mar. 16th June 1803, Jean, third daughter
of Alexander Fisher, Greenock.
HENDERSON, ROBERT. 30th June 1831.
Apprentice to (1) William Forbes; and (2) Hugh Tod. — Son of Robert Hender-
son, Writer in Stirling. Brni 17th April 1807. Died 27th October 1852,
unmarried. Admitted Advocate 26th November 1836.
N
9^ THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
HENDERSON, THOMAS. Uth July 1859.
Apprentice to David Smith. — Son of William Henderson, Inspector, National
Bank of Scotland. Bmn 2d June 1835. Died 8th October 1866, unmarried.
HENDERSON, or HENRYSON, WALTER.
Commissioner, 15th December 1594.
HENDERSON, or HENRYSON, WILLIAM. 15th May 1643.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Son of John Henry son, servitor to Mr. William
Hay, one of the Clerks of Session. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
HENDERSON, WILLIAM SCOTT. 20th May 1845.
Apprentice to William Charles Balderston and John Scott. — Second son of
Robert Henderson of Abbotrule, Roxburghshire. Bom 8th October 1821. Died
3d February 1859, unmarried.
HENDRY, JOHN. ' 13th November 1862.'^
Apprentice to John Stewart. — Born 18th November 1833. Died 18th May
1863, unmarried. Author of a Manual of Conveyancing, 1859, and other works.
HENRY, MA.TTHEW. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to J. R. M. Wedderburn. — Son of John Henry, S.S.C. Born 10th
May 1864.
HEPBURN, JOHN BUCHAN, of Castle Dykks. 24th November 1831.
Apprentice to Morrison and Burnett. — Third son of Sir John Buchan Hepburn
of Smeaton, Bart. j9o»-n 2d May 1808. J5i«i Uth December 1874. Mar. 30th
May 1837, Margaret Sophia, youngest daughter of A. F. Swinton, Warsash
House, Hants. Solicitor to Court of Exchequer.
HEPBURN, JOHN STEWART, of Colquhalzie. 8th December 1808.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Annfield. — Son of Thomas Hepburn of
Colquhalzie, Perthshire. Bom July 1783. Died 20th September 1872. Mar.
19th September 1815, Helen, second daughter of Adam Stewart of Clunie.
HEPBURN, ROBERT, of Stonislate and Baads. Uth May 1705.
Apprentice to John Macfarlane. — Died 27th October 1738. Mar.' I3th August
1707, Katherine, daughter of Sir David Home, Lord Crossrig.
HERIOT, JAMES, of Ramornie. 4th October 1798.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart. — Second son of Captain the Hon. Frederick
Maitland of Rankeillor, Fifeshire. 5(wn 11th September 1774. Died 2&th. April
1848. Mar. 31st December 1813, Margaret, the second daughter of William
Dalgleish of Scotscraig, Fifeshire.
HERON, JAMES, of Dalmorf^ 19th November 1835.
i^< Apprentice to Tod and Hill. — Son of James Heron, Merchant in Ajrr. Boi-n 2d
March 1811. Died November 1849, unmarried. ,;
LIST OF MEMBEES ...^^ 99
HERRIES, WILLIAM YOUNG, of Spottes. 18th November 1817.
Apprentice to, and only son of, Alexander Young, of Harburn, W.S. — Born 3d
July 1794. Died 12th February 1872. Mar. 3d September 1822, Hon. Amelia
Saumarez, youngest daughter of James, first Lord De Saumarez. Assumed name
of Herries, 1823.
HEWAT, PETER. 21st December 1809.
Apprentice to Michael Linning. — Son of Peter Hewat, Baxter in Edinburgh.
Born 1782. Died 4th December 1832. Mar. 12th March 1819, Isabella, eldest
daughter of Andrew Taylor of Westbams.
HEWAT, PETER
Commissioner, 15th December 1594. Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
HIGGINS, JAMES ALEXANDER, of Newck. 10th March 1789.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Only son of John Higgins of Newck, Stirlingshire.
B&m 17th September 1765. Died 26th September 1822.
HILL, ANDREW. 29th November 1821.
Apprentice to Francis Brodie and George Imlach. — Third son of Dr. Andrew
Hill, Physician in Greenock. Born 1797. Died 19th March 1874, unmarried.
HILL, HENRY DAVID. 5th March 1818.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Fourth son of George Hill, Principal of St. Mary's
College, St. Andrews. Died 25th July 1858, aged 67, unmarried.
HILL, JAMES. 4th July 1822.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Robert Hill, W.S. — Bwn 1800. Died Feb-
ruary 1841.
HILL, JOHN BOSWELL. 21st July 1879.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Lawson Hill, W.S. — Born 11th December 1855.
HILL, JAMES LAWSON. 5th March 1835.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Son of Charles Hill of Luthrie, Fifeshire. Bm-n
27th April 1812. Died 26th February 1883. Mar. (1) 19th November 1838,
Margaret, youngest daughter of James Dunlop, Glasgow ; and (2) 26th April
1853, Sibella, daughter of John James Boswell, Surgeon, H.E.I.C.S. Commissary
Clerk of Mid-Lothian, 1860-83.
HILL, LAWRENCE, of Baklanekk. 12th July 1779.
Apprentice to (1) John Bell; and (2) Alexander Menzies.— Son of James Hill,
Writer in Glasgow. Died 11th December 1792.
HILL, NINIAN. 30th June 1801.
Apprentice to Robert Hill.— Son of James Hill, Writer in Glasgow. Died 27th
March 1814. Mar. 13th December 1801, Isabella, daughter of John Lang,
Writer, Glasgow.
100 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
HILL, ROBERT. 12th March 1795.
Apprentice to (1) Lawrence Hill; and (2) Harry Davidson. — Son of James Hill,
Writer in Glasgow. Born 1771. Died 184:2. ifan 4th August 1794, Barbara,
daughter of Mr. Geddes, Merchant, Cupar.
HILL, ROBERT, of Rosebank. 19th June 1812.
Apprentice to John Anderson. — Son of Robert Hill, Kilmarnock. Died 11th
August 1813. Mar. Jane Caldwell.
HILL, ROBERT. 17th March 1859.
Apprentice to Walter and John Cook. — Third son of Rev. Alexander Hill, D.D.,
Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow. Bom 14th April 1831.
Mar. 26th March 1861, Mary, daughter of Thomas Croil, Merchant, Barbadoes.
HOGARTH, ANDREW. 23d June 1829.
Apprentice to George Hogarth. — Son of David Hogarth of Hilton, Berwickshire.
Bom 1806. Died 22d March 1884. Mar. 25th March 1834, Dorothy, daughter
of Patrick Dickson of Whitecross, Berwickshire.
HOGARTH, GEORGE. 22d June 1810.
Apprentice to J. A. Higgins. — Eldest son of Robert Hogarth, Farmer in Carfrac,
Berwickshire. Died 12th February 1870, aged 85. Mar. Ist June 1814,
Georgina, daughter of George Thomas, Principal Clerk to the Hon. Board
of Trustees. Author of Musical History, Biography, and Criticism, 1835, and other
works. Father-in-law of Charles Dickens, novelist.
HOGE, WILLIAM. 24th December 1673.
Apprentice to John Wilkie. — Died before 1688. Mar. April 1676, Isobel,
daughter of Mr. John Sinclair, Minister of Ormiston.
HOGG, ANDREW. 28th July 1690.
Apprentice to William Hoge. — Died October 1691. Mar. Jean Sinclair.
HOGGAN, EDWARD. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to Francis Napier. — Son of George Hoggan of Waterside, Dumfries-
shire. Z)ie(i 20th February 1867. Jfar. 1834, Elizabeth Craigie.
HOGUE, THOMAS JOHN. 11th July 1839.
Apprentice to Alexander Hunter. — Second son of Arthur Hogue, residing at
Barron House, Somersetshire. Bom 23d November 1815. Died at Chittagong
27th July 1844, unmarried.
HOME, ALEXANDER. 27th November 1673.
Apprentice to William Chieslie. — Son of John Home of Manderstoune, Berwick-
shire. Died 15th May 1702, aged 56. Mar. (1) 1st June 1676, Anna Home;
and (2) Euphan, daughter of Thomas Young of Leny, Mid-Lothian, W.S.
Commissary of Lauder, 1690-1702.
LIST OF MEMBERS 101
HOME, GEOEGE, of Wkdderburn and Paxton. 8th July 1763.
Apprentice to James Purves. — Second son of Alexander Home of Sardenfield,
Berwickshire. Died 10th February 1820. Principal Clerk of Session, 26th July
1781 to 11th November 1808. .-
HOME, HENRY. 29th July 1762.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Eldest son of Alexander Home, Writer in Duns.
Barn 1732. Died May 1803. Mar. February 1767, Elizabeth, daughter of the
Rev. Andrew Boyd, Minister of Twynholm.
HOME, JAMES, of Gamelsheills. 2d March 1686.
Apprentice to Andrew Young. — Son of George Home of Gamelsheills. Died 1719.
Mar. 19th February 1696, Agnes, only daughter of Andrew Arrett of Dunbam.
HOME, SIR JAMES, of Blackadder, Bart. 20th June 1726.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Second son of Sir John Home of Blackadder,
Bart. Died 28th March 1755. Alar. Catherine, daughter of George Livingstone,
Depute-Clerk of Session. Commissary of Lauder, 15th December 1739.
HOME, JAMES. 25th November 1765.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Hepburn; and (2) Thomas Baillie. — Eldest son of
Alexander Home, Collector of Excise, Stirling. Died 9th October 1768. Mar.
1754, Mary, daughter of William Mitchelson, Builder in Edinburgh. Depute-
Clerk of Session, May 1768.
HOME, JAMES, of Linhouse. 19th March 1782.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Only son of James Home, W.S. Boi-n 17th
December 1755. Died 2d January 1819. Mar. 20th August 1802, Catherine,
eldest daughter of William Mitchell, Edinburgh. Lyon-Depute, 8th August 1796.
HOME, JOHN. 20th February 1812.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Eldest son of George Home, Town-Clerk of Leith.
Born 1758. Died 13th October 1831. Mar. (1) Janet Halliday; and (2) Jean
Morrison. Substitute-Keeper of the Signet, 1785-1831.
HOME, JOHN. 12th January 1866.
Apprentice to John and Henry Gordon Gibson.— -Son of William Home, W.S.
Born 20th May 1838. Died 10th April 1890, unmarried.
HOME, PATRICK, of Bastlerig. 13th July 1695.
Apprentice to Robert Carstairs. — Died August 1717. Mar. Helen Home.
Treasurer, 1703-10.
HOME, WILLIAM. 19th June 1823.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Home, W.S. — Died 6th May 1846, aged 50.
Mar. 8th April 1829, Charlotte Helen, daughter of John Bume of Kingston.
Idd THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS TO THE SIGNET
HOPE, DAVID. 12th December 1707.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Fourth son of Sir Archibald Hope, one of the
Senators of the College of Justice. Died December 1736, unmairied.
HOPE, HUGH. 8th February 1838.
Apprentice to Walker, Richardson, and Melville. — Fourth son of Sir John Hope
of Pinkie, Bart. Bom 3d June 1813. Died 15th August 1876. Mar. 1st August
1848, Catherine, daughter of Archibald Spens of Manor.
HOPE, JAMES. 1st March 1799.
Apprentice to James Walker. — Third son of Dr. John Hope, Physician in Edin-
burgh. Bm-n 7th September 1769. Died 14th November 1842. Mar. 16th July
1805, Jane, daughter of James Walker of Dairy, Edmburgh.
HOPE, JAMES. 4th July 1828.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Third son of the Eight Hon. Charles Hope of Gran-
ton, Lord President of the Court of Session. Bm-n 28th May 1803. Died 14th
February 1882. Mar. 2d December 1828, Elizabeth, daughter of David Boyle of
Shewalton, Lord President of the Court of Session. Joint Deputy-Keeper of the
Signet, 1828-50; sole Keeper, 1850-82.
HOPE, JAMES, OF Belmont. 10th December 1840.
Apprentice to, and second son of, James Hope, W.S. — Born 1st July 1818. Mar.
16th April 1850, Hon. Gertrude Elphinstone, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel
James Drummond BuUer Elphinstone, and sister of William, fifteenth Baron
Elphinstone.
HOPE, JAMES ARTHUR, LL.B. 28th October 1889.
Apprentice to John Kirk. — Son of David Boyle Hope, Advocate, Sheriff of
Dumfries and Galloway. Bom 21st January 1865.
HOPE, JAMES EDWARD. 31st October 1879.
Apprentice to (1) James Hope ; and (2) A. Howe, J. S. Tytler, and W. Macgillivray.
— Eldest son of James Hope of Belmont, W.S. Born 6th November 1852. Mar. 1st
June 1880, Sophia, fifth daughter of Sir William Edmonstone of Duntreath, Bart.
HOPE, JOHN. 12th November 1829.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Hope, W.S. — Born 12th May 1807.
HOPKIRK, JOHN GLASSFORD. 15th November 1811.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Craig. — Second son of James Hopkirk of Dal-
beth, Lanarkshire. Barn 1789. Died 2d August 1859. Mar. 12th September
1815, Jessie, second daughter of John Hamilton of Poltnont Bank, Stirlingshire.
HORNE, DONALD, of Langwell. 6th July 1813.
Apprentice to James Home, his uncle. — Second son of John Home of Stirkoke,
Caithness. Died 23d June 1870, aged 83. Mar. Ist June 1821, Jane, daughter
of Thomas Elliot Ogilvie of Chesters, Roxburghshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 103
HORNE, JAMES, of Langwell. 16th November 1781.
Apprentice to James Marshall. — Son of William Home, tacksman of Scouthill,
Watten, Caithness. Died 29th September 1831, aged 79.
HORNE, THOMAS. 3d May 1881.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Thomas Elliot Ogilvie Home, W.S. — Barn 25th
June 1854. Mar. 6th August 1885, Horatia Georgiana Ramsay, second daughter
of Major James Wardlaw, Belmaduthy, and widow of William G. C. Asher.
HORNE, THOMAS ELLIOT OGILVIE. 24th June 1852.
Apprentice to, and son of, Donald Home, W.S. — Bom 1st January 1829. Died
26th June 1884. Mar. Priscilla Moore. I J Ji
HORSBRUGH, CHARLES EDWARD. 15th July 1890.
Apprentice to D. Beith, R. D. Beith, A. Forrester, and P. Murray. — Son of
William Horsbrugh, Cupar-Fife. Bvrn 16th July 1865.
HORSBURGH, WALTER 27th Febraary 1818.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Son of Thomas Horsburgh, tenant in Yair, Sel-
kirkshire. Bom 1792. Died 22d June 1858. Mar. 21st September 1830, Eliza-
beth, daughter of the Rev. Andrew Murray, D.D., Minister of Auchterderran.
HOSSACK, CAMPBELL. 13th January 1890.
Apprentice to Alexander Paterson Purves. — Youngest son of Robert Campbell
Hossack, Bonnington Grove. Born 26th August 1865.
HOTCHKIS, JAMES. 23d June 1820.
Apprentice to Richard Hotchkis and James Tytler. — Only son of Richard
Hotchkis, W.S. Bcn-n 16th August 1795. Died 24th March 1865. Mar. 20th
July 1824, Margaret, youngest daughter of Major Thomas Hart of Castlemilk,
Dumfriesshire.
HOTCHKIS, JAMES NAPIER. 12th July 1887.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Eldest son of Major Richard James Hotchkis,
and grandson of James Hotchkis, W.S. Born 16th July 1863.
HOTCHKIS, RICHARD, of Templehall. 1st August 1788.
Apprentice to (1) John Bell; and (2) James and William Tytler. — Son of James
Hotchkis of Hoxwood, Shropshire, Brewer in Edinburgh. Born 5th May 1759.
Died 23d February 1824. Mar. 1st July 1791, Isobel, daughter of Richard
Gardner, Comptroller-General of Customs. Treasurer, 1792-1824.
HOUSTOUN, ARCHIBALD. 29th December 1699.
Apprentice to Robert Carstairs. — Killed in a brawl by Gilbert Kennedy, younger
of Auchtyfardle, March 1706. Mar. 27th January 1702, Esther, daughter of
Robert Carstairs, W.S.
104 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
HOWATSON, WILLIAM, of Hazelbrae. 16th June 1818.
Apprentice to Alexander Goldie. — Eldest son of William Howatson of Hazelbrae.
Born 1793. Died 7th May 1821.
HOWDEN, ANDREW. 19th June 1818.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of James Howden, Watchmaker in Edin-
burgh. Died 27th March 1861, aged 66. Mar. 16th July 1827, Laura, daughter
of Robert Richard Maitland, Edinburgh.
HOWDEN, ANDREW CASSELS. 26th May 1825.
Apprentice to John Renton and Joseph Grant. — Son of Alexander Howden,
Merchant in Leith. Born 1801. Died 19th March 1875. Mar. (1) 3d Septem-
ber 1827, Catherine Sinclair, only child of Adam Robinson of Pearmontj and
(2) Miss Fulton.
HOWDEN, ROBERT. 9th July 1821.
Apprentice to William Dallas. — Eldest son of Francis Howden, Goldsmith in
Edinburgh. Born 1797. Died 20th June 1858. Mar. 27th November 1852,
Eliza Sophia, daughter of H. C. Burnet, York, and widow of W. H. S. James,
Calcutta.
HOWE, ALEXANDER 8th November 1849.
Apprentice to (1) John Mackenzie Lindsay ; and (2) Thomas George Mackay. —
Son of Charles Howe, residing in Forfar. Born 26th April 1820.
HUGHES, GEORGE. 15th November 1832.
Apprentice to George TumbuU. — Born 17th August 1808. Died 6th November
1873. Mar. 7th August 1838, Helen Magniac, youngest daughter of David
Erskine, of Elambazar, Bengal.
HUME, JOHN. 12th August 1783.
Apprentice to David Anderson. — Third son of John Hume of Nine wells, Berwick-
shire. Died 10th October 1806.
HUME, MATHEW NORMAN MACDONALD, of Bernisdale.
17th November 1816.
Apprentice to Michael Linning. — Son of Norman Macdonald of Scalpay, Inver-
ness-shire. Born 1793. Died 7th July 1878. Mar. (1) 5th March 1818,
Catherine Finnan; (2) 26th July 1831, Grace, daughter of Sir John Hay of
Smithfield and Haystoun, Bart. ; and (3) 25th April 1843, Agnes Hume of Nine-
wells, second daughter of the Hon. David Hume, Baron of Exchequer.
HUNT, JAMES, of Navity. Slst May 1860.
Apprentice to (1) John Cosens ; and (2) James Charles Murray. — Son of William
Hunt, W.S. Born 9th February 1828. Died 13th October 1879, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS 105
HUNT, WILLIAM, of Navity. 25th June 1819.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie and William Innes. — Eldest son of Charles Hunt,
Dunfermline. Died 9th October 1854, aged 59. Mar. 17th April 1826, Mary,
only daughter of James Normand of Baltilly, Fifeshire.
HUNTEE, ALEXANDER. 22d November 1813.
Apprentice to, and fourth son of, John Hunter of Doonholm, Ayrshire, W.S.
—Bm-n 9th January 1790. Died 28th September 1858. Mar. 26th April 1819,
Maria, third daughter of Alexander Maclean of Coll, Argyllshire. Sheriflf-Clerk
of Ayrshire, 1827-58.
HUNTER, ALEXANDER GIBSON, of Blackness. 7th June 1797.
Apprentice to John Anderson. — Eldest son of David Hunter of Blackness,
Linlithgowshire. Bm-v, 1771. Died 9th March 1812. Mar. 29th August 1800,
Ann, daughter of Alexander Gibson Wright of Cliftonhall, Mid-Lothian.
HUNTER, EVAN ALLAN. 15th June 1848.
Apprentice to John M. Lindsay. — Son of Alexander Hunter, W.S. Born 19th
June 1825. Died 16th April 1890. Mar. 15th June 1871, Ernestine Eglinton,
daughter of John Stuart Hay Newton of Newton. Sheriff-Clerk of Ayrshire,
1858-90.
HUNTER, FRANK. 28th October 1881.
Apprentice to Evan AUan Hunter, his uncle. — Son of Alexander Maclean Hunter,
residing at Balla-Balla, Cranboume, Australia. Born 26th July 1858. Mar. 31st
March 1886, Elizabeth Agnes, daughter of Rev. John Mein-Austin of St. Mungo.
HUNTER, JOHN, of Doonholm. 26th June 1769.
Apprentice to John Bell. — Second son of Andrew Hunter of Abbotshill, Ayrshire,
Writer in Edinburgh. Born 21st April 1746. Died 24th April 1823. Mar.
1773, Jane, second daughter of William Fergusson of Doonholm and Bonnytoun.
HUNTER, JOHN. 22d November 1821.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie and Alexander Monypenny. — Son of David
Hunter, Brewer in Aberdeen. DiM 21st January 1848. Mar.
HUNTER, JOHN. 6th July 1826.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Eldest son of Dr. James Hunter, Professor of Logic
in University of St. Andrews, ^wre 1801. Di«d 3d December 1869. J/wr. 18th
September 1829, Helen, daughter of Richard Vary of Crossford, Lanarkshire.
Auditor of Court of Session, 1849-66.
HUNTER, RICHARD. 15th November 1838.
Apprentice to Mackenzie and Sharpe. — Son of Richard Hunter, of the Hon. East
India Company's Service. Bom 20th June 1817. Died July 1844, unmarried.
o
106 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
HUNTER, THOMAS. 11th November 1647.
Apprentice to James Farquharson. — Son of Thomas Hunter, Bailie in Carsland,
ft Ayrshire.
HUNTER, WILLIAM. 30th December 1647.
Resigned his Commission, 15th October 1663, on account of his age.
HUNTER, WILLIAM CONSTABLE. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to David S. Dickson and David Shaw. — Son of Patrick Hunter of
Watery butts, Perthshire. Bom 14th March 1865.
HUNTER, WILLIAM VARY. 17th March 1864.
Apprentice to Charles Morton. — Son of John Hunter, W.S., Auditor of Court of
Session. Boxn 30th September 1839. Died 18th January 1872, unmarried.
HUTCHESON, JAMES. 1st August 1707.
Apprentice to Adam Fullerton. — Died 1726. Mar. Margaret Scougall.
HUTCHESON, JAMES. 27th June 1878.
Apprentice to George Dalziel. — Bmn 10th August 1846.
HUTCHINSON, ALEXANDER. 4th February 1830.
Apprentice to James Amott. — Son of Captain John Hutchinson, Commander of
the Irish Revenue cutter Nepean. Died 14th November 1869, aged 71. Mar.
(1) 1834, Jane Charlotte Gordon ; and (2) 19th June 1851, Elizabeth, daughter
of the Rev. James Watt, of the Grammar School, Aberdeen.
HYNDMAN, JOHN BLAIR, of Springside. 12th December 1816.
Apprentice to Coll Macdonald. — Son of Robert Hyndman of Springside, Ayr-
shire. Died 20th January 1843, aged 50, unmarried.
HYSLOP, WILLIAM AIRD. 20th October 1884.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of James Macadam Hyslop, M.D., residing
in Edinburgh. Born 24th December 1859.
IMLACH, GEORGE. 7th March 1788.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Eldest son of the Rev. Alexander Imlach, Minister at
Muirhouse. Died 1812. Mar. Mary Cunningham.
IMLACH, GEORGE. 22d Februaiy 1813.
Apprentice to John Dickson. — Only son of George Imlach, W.S. Died 3d
February 1823. Mar. 14th June 1813, Agnes, daughter of Robert Wight,
Murrays, East-Lothian.
IN6LIS, ANDREW. 17th July 1862.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Henry IngUs of Torsonce, Mid-Lothian, W.S.
— Bom 4th January 1833. Mar. 28th July 1862, Eliza Louisa, eldest daughter
of Major-General Frederick Hope.
INGLIS, GEORGE. 3d July 1632.
Apprentice to George Lermonth. .■..■■■,
LIST or MEMBERS '' 107
INGLIS, HAERY HERBERT. 16th July 187S.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Younger son of the Right Hon. John IngUs of
Glencorse, Mid-Lothian, Lord Justice-General. Born 21st July 1848.
INGLIS, HARRY MAXWELL, of Loganbank. 1st July 1828/'
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Eldest son of the Rev. John Inglis, D.D., one
of the Ministers of Edinburgh, and brother of Right Hon. John Inglis, Lord
Justice-General. Born 1800. Died 7th May 1883, unmarried. Principal Clerk
of Session, 3d June 1858 to 1880.
INGLIS, HENRY, of Toksonce. 13th November 1828.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Inglis, W.S. — Born 6th November 1806.
Died 3d April 1885. Mar. (1) 2d April 1832, Mary Ann, daughter of Andrew-
Stein of Wester Greenyards; and (2) 27th January 1880, Ann Kinnear. Author
of llie Briar of Threave, and tJie Lily of Barholm, 1855, and other poems. Struck
off List of Society on 14th AprU 1879.
INGLIS, JOHN, of Auohindinnie. 7th August 1691.
Apprentice to Archibald Nisbet. — Son of John Inglis of Langbyres, Lanarkshire.
Died 31st January 1731. Mar. (1) Helen Hay ; and (2) Catherine Nisbet.
INGLIS, JOHN, of Aberholdoun. 9th December 1717.
Apprentice to John Inglis. — Died 24th November 1726.
INGLIS, WILLIAM. 25th June 1632.
Apprentice to John Gilmour. — Died 1647. Mar. Susan Pringle.
INGLIS, WILLIAM. 26th June 1789.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart. — Second son of Laurence Inglis, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Died 20th June 1830. Mar. 16th March 1797, daughter of James
Stein of Kilbagie, Clackmannanshire.
INNES, ALEXANDER. 5th December 1699.
Apprentice to Robert Innes, his brother. — Son of Alexander Innes of Blairtoun,
Aberdeenshire. Struck off Roll, not having paid his fees.
INNES, ALEXANDER. 6th August 1768.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Eldest son of Alexander Innes of Cathlaw,
Linlithgowshire. Died 1782. Mar. 14th Januaiy 1775, Janet, youngest daughter
of Thomas Shairp of Houston, Linlithgowshire.
INNES, CHARLES. 25th November 1780.
Apprentice to David Anderson. — Son of Alexander Innes, Advocate in Aberdeen.
Z'iei 27th September 1818.
INNES, EDWIN SANDYS MITCHELL. 16th November 1871.
Apprentice to John M. Lindsay and Alexander Howe. — Son of George Mitchell
Innes of Bangour, Linlithgowshire. £orn. 4th July 1846.
im THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
INNES, JAMES. 28th February 1811.
Apprentice to James Fraser, Francis Brodie, and David Wemyss. — Son of John
Innes, W.S., residing in Durris. Died 1842, aged 57.
INNES, JOHN, OF Leuchars. 22d November 177S.
Apprentice to Charles Gordon. — Son of Robert Innes, Merchant in Elgin. Boi-n
13th October 1747. Died 10th May 1827. Mar. 2d September 1780, Euphemia,
daughter of James Bussel of Earlsmill. Sheriff-Substitute of Kincardineshire,
1808-27. Father of Cosmo Innes, the Antiquary.
INNES, JOHN, OF CowiE. 16th January 1800.
Apprentice to George Robinson. — Eldest son of Alexander Innes of Breda,
Commissary of Aberdeen. Bam 1776. Died 17th April 1832. Mar. (1) 25th
July 1800, Une Cameron, eldest daughter of Robert Barclay of Urie, Kincardine-
shire J and (2) Janet, eldest daughter of William Rogers, Edinburgh.
INNES, JOHN BROWN. 16th November 1837.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Innes, W.S. — Bom 26th September 1814.
Died 2d February 1883. Mar. 20th October 1855, Emily, daughter of Rowland
Burdon Cotgrave, Pinner, Middlesex.
INNES, JOHN COTGRAVE. 28th April 1882.
Apprentice to J. B. Innes, John Logan, and C. B. Logan. — Only son of John
Brown Innes, W.S. Born 23d December 1857.
INNES, ROBERT, of Blairtoun. 11th May 1680.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Eldest son of Alexander Innes of Blairtoun,
Aberdeenshire. Died January 1699. Mar. Sophia Smith. Lyon-Depute, 1681.
M.P. Anstruther-Easter, 1685-6.
INNES, THOMAS, of Monellie. 11th January 1758.
Apprentice to (1) Andrew Hay of Montblairie ; and (2) Andrew Burnet. — Second
son of Thomas Innes of Muryfold. Born 15th November 1730. Died 6th
September 1779. Mar. Elizabeth Innes.
INNES, THOMAS. 8th March 1821.
Apprentice to John Innes, Junr. — Third son of John Innes, W.S. Bom 1798.
Died 17th December 1844. Mar. 2d February 1832, Mary, daughter of Archibald
Bogle, Merchant in Glasgow.
INNES, WILLIAM. 4th January 1671.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Alexander ; (2) William Chalmer ; (3) James Cheyne.
— Son of William Innes of Tibbertie. Mar. February 1690, Jean, second daughter
of David Murray, of Clairden.
INNES, WILLIAM. 18th March 1704.
Apprentice to Robert Innes. — Died June 1746. Mar. Janet, daughter of Sir
William Cunningham of Caprington, Bart., and widow of George Primrose of
Dunipace.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 109
INNES, WILLIAM. 18th May 1801.
Apprentice to Archibald Milne. — Eldest son of John Innes of Blackhills, Elgin-
shire. Died 8th August 1841, aged 66. Mar. 18th August 1810, Mary, eldest
daughter of George Brown of Linkwood, Elginshire.
IRVINE, JOHN. 25th Augiist 1698.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Son of Robert Irvine of Cults, Aberdeenshire.
IRVING, GEORGE, of Newton. 8th February 1720.
Apprentice to Alexander Home. — Son of James Irving, Usher of the Privy
Council. Died 19th June 1742. Mar. 1711, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Weir,
Surgeon in Edinburgh. Clerk to the City of Edinburgh.
IRVING, GEORGE. 20th November 1828.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Irving, W.S. — Bom 1805. Died 19th February
1841, unmarried.
IRVING, JOHN. 10th July 1794.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Second son of George Irving of Newton, Lanarkshire.
Bmn November 1770. Died 26th May 1850. Mar. 2d July 1804, Agnes Clerk,
eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Hay, R.E.
IRVING, PATRICK, of Inveramsay. 19th November 1797.
Apprentice to Lachlan Duff. — Son of John Irving of Auchmunzie. Born 23d
September 1773. Died 3d February 1854. Mar. 1st June 1803, Margaret,
daughter of Patrick Orr of Bridgeton, Kincardineshire. Author of Considerations
of the Inexpediency) of the Law of Entail, 1826, and other legal works.
IRVING, ROBERT. 28th July 1751.
Apprentice to Thomas Goldie. — Second son of William Irving of Bonshaw,
Dumfriesshire. Died 20th November 1772. Mar. January 1764, Mary, daughter
of William Veitch of EUiock, Dumfriesshire, W.S.
IVORY, HOLMES. 19th April 1876.
Apprentice to Alexander F. Adam and John Kirk. — Eldest son of William Ivory,
Advocate, Sheriff of Inverness. Born 21st March 1851. Mar. 21st December
1877, Margaret Dick, eldest daughter of John Dick Peddie, R.S.A., Architect,
Edinburgh.
IVORY, WILLIAM. 23d November 1827.
Apprentice to Thomas Mackenzie. — Son of Thomas Ivory, residing in Dundee.
Died 21st May 1868, aged 70. Mar. 30th April 1846, Robina, daughter of Robert
Cox of Gorgie, Mid-Lothian. Compiled a Catalogue of the Law-Books in the
Library of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, 1856.
JACKSON, GIDEON. 23d September 1736.
Apprentice to Alexander M'Millan. — Son of Robert Jackson of Lowherelds.
Died 11th August 1773. Mar. Mary Hepburn. Resigned his Commission, 15th
March 1746. Clerk to the Tolbooth, 1775.
no THE SOCIETY OF .WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
JAMESON, ANDEEW. 17th November 1836.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of John Jameson, residing in Dublin. Born
19th September 1812. Died January 1872. Mar. Uth March 1852, Margaret
Cochrane. SherifF-Clerk of Clackmannan, 1841-72.
JAMESON, GEOEGE GEANT. 21st November 1833. '
Apprentice to (1) David Eamsay; and (2) John Donaldson. — Son of the Eev.
John Jameson, D.D. Born 1st April 1805. Died 1835, unmarried.
JAMESON, JAMES HOTCHKIS. 4th August 1880.
Apprentice to J. B. Innes and John and C. B. Logan. — Son of Andrew Jameson,
Advocate, Sheriff of Aberdeen and Kincardine. Born 4th January 1855. Mar.
25th March 1884, Virginia, elder daughter of William Ker, Manilla.
JAMESON, WILLIAM, of Eosefield. 13th December 1793.
Apprentice to Eobert Boswell. — Only son of William Jameson, Mason, and Deacon
Convener of the Trades, Edinburgh. Died 26th June 1825. Mar. (1) November
1795, daughter of John Spottiswoode, Merchant in Edinburgh; and (2) Elizabeth
Jane Turnbull.
JAMIESON, JAMES AULDJO. 15th March 1861.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and A. M. Bell. — Son of James
Jamieson, Doctor of Medicine in Aberdeen and afterwards in Edinburgh. Bom
25th September 1832. Mar. 17th November 1863, Isabella, only daughter of
James Powrie of Eeswallie, Forfarshire. Crown Agent, 1874-80, 1885, 1886.
JAMIESON, EOBEET. 2d July 1829.
Apprentice to Eobert Strachan. — Eldest son of Eobert Jamieson, W.S. Died at
Melbourne, Uth Febraary 1850.
JAMIESON, EOBEET, of Heriot Hill. 2d January 1759.
Apprentice to John Watson. — Son of Eobert Jamieson, Merchant in Aberdeen.
Died 31st October 1808. Mar. (1) Jean Eichardson ; and (2), June 1770,
Catherine, daughter of John Lockhart of Cleghorne, Lanarkshire.
JAMIESON, EOBEET. 23d March 1796.
Apprentice to, and son of, Eobert Jamieson, W.S. Disd 7th December 1832, aged
63. Mar. 19th April 1796, Jane, daughter of Alexander Christie, Provost of
Montrose.
JAMIESON, EOBEET WILLIAM. 23d June 1829.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis. — Son of Thomas Jamieson, Soap-boiler in Leith.
Died 10th December 1868, aged 63. Mar. 2d April 1835, Christina, daughter of
Major-General John Pringle of Symington, Mid-Lothian. Author of Nimrod: a
Dramatic Poem, 1848, and other works. . , _^ , , ,
LIST OF MEMBEES 111
JARDINE, Sir HENRY, of Harwood. 25th June 1790.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Son of Eev. John Jardine, D.D., one of the
Ministers of Edinburgh. Bm-n 30th January 1766. Died 11th August 1851.
Mar. 26th April 1794, Catherine, youngest daughter of George Skene of Rubis-
law, Aberdeenshire. Solicitor of Taxes, 1793 ; Depute King's Remembrancer in
Exchequer, 1802 ; King's Remembrancer, 1820-31. Knighted 20th April 1825.
Author of a Report relative to the Tomb of King Robert the Bruce and the Cathedral
Church of Dunfermline.
JARDINE, JAMES. 16th January 1834.
Apprentice to, and youngest son of, Sir Henry Jardine, W.S. Born 7th October
1810. Died 15th November 1839. Mar. 30th January 1834, Ann, daughter of
Colonel Tomlinson, and widow of Captain Windowe.
JOHNSTON, ALEXANDER. 13th November 1817.
Apprentice to John Pollock. — Eldest son of George Johnston of Hillhouse. Died
31st December 1864, aged 75. Mar.
JOHNSTON, ALEXANDER. 8th July 1831.
Apprentice to James Arnott. — Son of William Johnston, of Viewfield, Merchant
in Aberdeen. Born 4th June 1809. Died 14th June 1880. Mar. 1st January
1836, Christina Martha, second daughter of John Leith Ross of Arnage, W.S.
JOHNSTON, GEORGE. 1st August 1786.
Apprentice to Walter Scott. — Second son of Thomas Johnston of Templehall,
Berwickshire. Died 1801.
JOHNSTON, JAMES, of Straiton. 5th July 1661.
Apprentice to Robert Hamilton. — Died May 1684. Mar. 25th November 1664,
Ann, third daughter of Quentin Hamilton of Barncluith, Lanarkshire.
JOHNSTON, ROBERT. 6th March 1828.
Apprentice to Charles Cunningham and Carlyle Bell. — Son of Robert Johnston,
Tenant of Slateheugh, West Calder. Died 1853, aged 66. Mar. 1835, Elspeth Duff.
JOHNSTON, ROBERT. 13th November 1828.
Apprentice to (1) William Dymock, and (2) John Dymock. — Only son of John
Johnston of Middlefield, Leith. Born 12th August 1805. Died 12th May 1869.
Mar. 21st May 1829, Isabella, eldest daughter of Joseph Johnston, Register House.
JOHNSTON, ROBERT BRUCE. 17th January 1861.
Apprentice to Jardine, Stodart, and Eraser. — Son of Robert Johnston, W.S.
Born, 29th April 1835. Died 4th February 1888. Mar. 8th June 1864, Agnes
Cockbum, daughter of James Nelson Smith, Merchant, London and Sydney.
../KProcurator-Fiscal of Edinburgh, 1868-88.
112 THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
JOHNSTON, ROBERT FLEMING. 21st January 1874.
Apprentice to John Richardson. — Son of John Smith Johnson, S.S.C. Bm-n, 22d
February 1840. Mar. 22d May 1872, Isabella Anna Catherine, second daughter
of Rev. Charles Irving, Rector of Donoughmore.
JOHNSTON, ROBERT HERBERT. 13th January 1890.
Apprentice to W.S. Fraser. — Eldest son of Robert Bruce Johnston, W.S. Bm-n
1st May 1865. Mar. 11th February 1890, Edith, younger daughter of John
Comrie Thomson, Advocate.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM. 4th March 1805.
Apprentice to John Dickson. — Only son of George Johnston, Supervisor of Excise
for the Ayr District. Died 1828. Mar. 29th December 1806, Sarah, daughter of
Robert Riddle of Carzield, Dumfriesshire.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM, of Banks. 19th March 1782.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Irving; and (2) John Syme. — Only son of James
Johnston of Banks. Died 16th November 1789. Mar. 1st November 1781,
Nancy, daughter of Shortred of Colmslie, Roxburghshire.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 13th July 1885.
Apprentice to John Cowan and James A. Dalmahoy. — Son of Henry Johnston,
Surgeon in the Hon. East India Company's Service. Born 24th November 1860.
Mar. 24th July 1889, Alicia Christina, daughter of Major-General R. D, Mac-
pherson, Bengal Staff Corps.
JOHNSTONE, JOHN.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594.
JOHNSTONE, WILLIAM. 30th January 1880.
Apprentice to John Gibson, Junr., and Robert Strathern. — Elder son of Christopher
Johnstone of Croftheads, Dumfriesshire, General Manager of the Caledonian Rail-
way Company. Bom 25th August 1855. Mar. 28th June 1887, Janet, eldest
daughter of John James Malcolm Borthwick, Billholm, Dumfriesshire.
JOLLIE, JAMES. 12th December 1783.
Apprentice to James Forrest. — Son of Walter Jollie, Tailor in Edinburgh. Born
1775. Died 30th August 1846. Mar. 14th Sept^ember 1790, Christian, daughter
of the Rev. John Hart, Minister of Kirkiuner. Clerk to the Merchant Company.
JOLLIE, WALTER. 5th March 1818.
Apprentice to (1) James Jollie and (2) James Dundas. — Eldest son of James
Jollie, W.S. Died 12th May 1859, aged 68. Mar. 19th August 1825, Hannah
Lycette, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-General Avarne of Rugeley, Staflford.
LIST OF MEMBERS 113
JONES, THOMAS WILLIAM. . 18th July 1861. '
Apprentice to Charles Morton. — Son of Edmund Morse Jones, Surgeon. Bom
5th July 1834. Mar. 4th April 1872, Elizabeth Macfarlane, youngest daughter
of James Greig of Eccles, W.S., and widow of J. C. Henderson, S.S.C.
JOPP, JOHN. 31st May 1827.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Second son of Andrew Jopp, Advocate in
Aberdeen. Bmii 18th July 1805. Died Slst October 1857. Mar. 7th September
1841, Margery, eldest daughter of John South of Drongan, Ayrshire.
JUNNER, JOHN CLARK. 10th March 1870.
Apprentice to William Ferguson. — Sou of John Mackenzie Junner, S.S.C. Bm'n
22d March 1846. Mm: 18th March 1875, Margaret Balfour, eldest daughter of
A. B. Wright, Edinburgh.
KAER, ANDREW, of Kippilaw. 2d October 1696.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Karr of
Kippilaw, Roxburghshire. Died 16th October 1744, aged 85. Mar. Jean
Stirling.
KAY, JAMES.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594. Mar. Elizabeth Scott.
KF.n.T. OR KYLE, ROBERT. 29th November 1673.
Apprentice to James Carnegie. — Mar. Sarah Cockburn.
KEITH, ALEXANDER, of Ravelston and Dunottar. 15th July 1763.
Apprentice to (1) Hew Cra^vford ; and (2) John Mackenzie of Delvin. — Eldest
son of Alexander Keith of Ravelston, Depute-Clerk of Session. Died 26th
February 1819. Mar. 24th April 1811, Margaret, youngest daughter of
Laurence Oliphant of Gask, Perthshire.
KEITH, JAMES, of Auquhorsk. 7th March 1664.
Apprentice to James Cheyne and others.
KEITH, ROBERT.
Commissioner, 18th October 1631.
KELLIE, T.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
KELLIE, WILLIAM, of Eastbarns.
Signs the Acts, 26th December 1627. Died February 1632. Was twice married.
KELSO, WILLIAM, of Dankeith. 13th May 1707.
Apprentice to John Cuningham of Enterldne. — Second son of John Kelso of
Kelsoland, Ayrshire. Died about 1721. Mar. April 1697, Mary, daughter of
John Dunlop of that Ilk.
P
114 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
KENE, JOHN.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Son of Thomas Kene, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died about 1597.
KENE, RICHAED. 21st February 1599.
Son of John Kene, W.S.
KENNAWAY, ANDREW LAURIE. 17th January 1888.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of Robert Kennaway, Farmer, Polton Mains,
Mid-Lothian. B(ym 30th August 1863.
KENNEDY, ALEXANDER. 1st December 1825.
Apprentice to John Forman. — Youngest son of the Rev. Thomas Kennedy,
Minister of St. Madoes. Died 19th April 1868, aged 68, unmarried.
KENNEDY, GEORGE, of Romanno. 2d November 1711.
Younger son of Robert Kennedy of Auchtifardle, Lanarkshire. Died 1743.
Mar. (1) February 1714, Janet, daughter of Andrew Pringle of Clifton, Selkirk-
shire ; (2) October 1721, Anne, daughter of Adam Cleghom, Merchant and Bailie
of Edinburgh ; and (3) January 1731, Anne, daughter of George Stirling, Surgeon
in Edinburgh. Under-Keeper of the Signet, 1711-13. Warden of the Mint.
Fiscal, 1722-23.
KENNEDY, HUGH. 24th January 1822.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Second son of Captain George Kennedy, younger
of Romanno, Peeblesshire. Born 7th September 1797. Died 4th May 1876,
unmarried.
KENNEDY, JOHN. 29th June 1661.
Apprentice to, and son of, Quintin Kennedy, W.S. — Died before 1689.
KENNEDY, JOHN, of Underwood. 8th December 1808.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Third son of John Kennedy of Underwood, Ayr-
shire. Born 1785. Died 3d March 1862. Mar. 4th January 1814, Margaret
Buchanan, youngest daughter of Neil Snodgrass of Cunninghamhead, Ayrshire.
KENNEDY, JOHN, of Underwood. 18th July 1844.
Apprentice to Richard Campbell. — Son of John Kennedy, W.S. Born 22d
August 1816. Mar. 6th August 1851, Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of Colin
Macrae, of Inverinate, Ross-shire, Merchant, London.
KENNEDY, JOHN. 19th July 1877.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, John Kennedy, W.S. — Born 12th September
1852. Mar. 6th January 1884, Jessie Edwards Reid.
KENNEDY, QUINTIN.
Mentioned 1629. Grand-nephew of James Kennedy, Merchant, burgess of
Aberdeen. Died before 1660.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 115
KENNEDY, ROBERT. 1st July 1822.
Apprentice to Patrick Tennent. — Son of the Rev. Thomas Kennedy, Minister of
St Madoes. Born 1798. Died 17th March 1840, unmarried.
KENNEDY, WILLIAM. 28th June 1827.
Apprentice to Francis Brodie, and George Imlach. — Third son of William Kennedy
of Kirkland, Dumfriesshire. Born 1800. Died 23d April 1877. Mar. 28th
September 1841, Sarah, daughter of William Carrick, Carlisle.
KENNWYE, JAMES. 15th January 1634.
Apprentice to John Ker.
KER, JOHN.
Commissioner, 1631. Died 1633. Mm. 30th August 1614, Janet Ker.
KER, JOHN, OF Kerfield. 22d November 1799.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Second son of William Ker of Kerfield,
Peeblesshire. Boiii 1773. Died 22d September 1838, unmarried.
KER, ROBERT DARLING. 18th January 1886.
Apprentice to William Smith. — Son of Robert D. Ker, residing at St. Leonard's
House, Edinburgh. Born 15th January 1853. Mar. 20th April 1882, Joanna,
daughter of Daniel Johnston, St. Abbs, Trinity.
KERMACK, GEORGE. 14th July 1884.
Apprentice to John Cook. — Youngest son of William Ramsay Kermack, W.S.
Born 9th February 1860.
KERMACK, JOHN. 10th July 1810.
Apprentice to Robert Cathcart. — Son of John Kermack, Writer in Edinburgh.
Bm-n 9th September 1781. Died 3d April 1860. Mar. 9th October 1815, Jane
Ogilvie, daughter of the Rev. William Ramsay, Minister of Cortachy.
KERMACK, JOHN. 30th November 1871.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Ramsay Kermack, W.S. — Bvrn 2d May
1847.
KERMACK, WILLIAM RAMSAY. 8th June 1843.
Apprentice to, and youngest son of, John Kermack, W.S. — Born 3d September
1820. Died 8th May 1883. Mar. 3d June 1846, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry
Armstrong, Edinburgh. Fiscal, 1872-83.
KERR, CHARLES, op Abbotrule. 10th March 1789.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Eldest son of Patrick Kerr, W.S. Died 17th
November 1821.
KERR, PATRICK, of Abbotrule. 6th July 1768.
Apprentice to (1) Francis Pringle ; and (2) Walter Scott.— Second son of William
Kerr of Abbotrule, Roxburghshire. Died 10th July 1791. Mar. April 1766,
Jean Hay. .r, , ^ , , _:
116 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
KERR, THOMAS. 22d February 1821.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Youngest son of the Rev. Alexander Kerr, Minister
ofStobo. J5o?M 1798. DJe^f 18th June 1832, unmarried.
KERR, THOMAS, LLB. 28th June 1878.
Apprentice to James Bruce. — Son of the Rev. Samuel Kerr, Minister of Yester.
Bmn 2d October 1848. Mar. 29th July 1875, Jane, younger daughter of William
Mills, Leehouses, Haddington.
KETCHEN, WILLIAM THOMAS. 18th January 1886.
Apprentice to James Hotchkis Jameson. — Son of William Robinson Ketchen,
Solicitor, Elie. Bom 27th September 1858.
KETTLE, ALEXANDER.
See Young, Alexander Kettle.
KEYDEN, WILLIAM, of Lynedale. 22d November 1799.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Son of the Rev. William Keyden, Minister of
Penpont. Died 5th January 1826.
KINLOCH, ROBERT. 28th July 1882.
Apprentice to George Robertson and John Hope Finlay. — Son of Alexander John
Kinloch of Park, Aberdeenshire. Born 25th July 1855. Mar. 8th January 1880,
Mary Isabella, only daughter of Henry Dundas Murray of the Oehtertyre family.
KINNEAR, GEORGE THOMAS BALFOUR, of Cross. 29th November 1855.
Apprentice to Adam Hay and Robert Pringle. — Eldest son of James Kinnear,
W.S. Bmi, 8th February 1833. Mar. 16th November 1858, Agnes, daughter
of Harry Gordon, Liverpool.
KINNEAR, JAMES, of Wester Forret.
Commissioner, 1st June 1607. Died October 1617. Mar. 6th May 1601,
Margaret Bickartoun.
KINNEAR, JAMES. 1st December 1634.
Apprentice to Robert Pringle. — Son of James Kinnear, W.S. Died 1st November
1665. Mar. Elizabeth Alexander. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
KINNEAR, JAMES. 1st March 1832.
Apprentice to Richard Mackenzie and William Sharpe. — Seventh son of George
Kinnear, Banker in Edinburgh. Born 2d December 1810. Died at Cadiz, 21st
June 1849. Mar. 6th March 1831, Mary Henrietta, eldest daughter of William
Balfour of Trenaby, Orkney.
KINNEAR, JAMES BALFOUR-. 14th July 1884.
Apprentice to A. Hamilton, G. T. Kinnear and R. Beatson. — Eldest son of George
Thomas Balfour-Kinnear, W.S. Born 24th September 1859. Mar. 26th January
1887, Catherine, second daughter of John Eraser of Parkburn, M.D,
LIST OF MEMBEKS 117
KINNEAR, THOMAS. 25th May 1826.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of Thomas Kinnear of Kinloch, Fifeshire.
Died at Toronto, 27th July 1843, aged 40, unmarried.
KIRK, COLIN. 5th May 1715.
Apprentice to Colin Campbell of Carwhin. — Eldest son of Mr. Robert Kirk,
Minister of Aberfoyle. Died 18th March 1725. Mar. 20th June 1715, Jean,
second daughter of George Stirling of Herbertshire, Stirlingshire.
KIRK, JOHN. 18th July 1849.
Apprentice to James Hope and Robert Oliphant. — Son of Douglas Kirk, Surgeon,
R.N. Born 23d July 1820. Died at Cape Town 27th April 1889. Mar. 17th
January 1854, Frances, third daughter of William Berry of Tayfield, Director of
Chancery, 1873-89.
KIRK, WILLIAM JOHN. - 28th April 1882.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Son of John Kirk, W.S. Bm-n 5th February 1859.
Mar. 29th April 1886, Helen Liddell Niven, youngest daughter of John Jeffrey,
Brewer, Edinburgh.
KIRKPATRICK, JOHN GEORGE. 15th July 1886.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, W. R. Kermack, and John Kermack. — Son oi
Roger Kirkpatrick of Lagganlees, Dumfriesshire. Bm-n 27th January 1864.
KIRKWOD, JAMES. 30th June 1628.
Apprentice to Robert Kirkwod. — Died 1646. Mar. 16th November 1631, Jean
Measone.
KIRKWOD, ROBERT.
Signs Minute of 17th Januarj- 1606. Died before 1642. Mar. 4th October 1610,
Sibylla Gilbert,
KNOX, JOHN. 28th February 1684.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Succoth. — Died 6th December 1705, aged 46.
Mar. 9th December 1684, Marjory Dundas.
KYNCAID, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Died about 1622.
LAIDLAW, JAMES. 16th November 1784.
Apprentice to Robert Jameson. — Son of Robert Laidlaw, Tenant in Peile. Died
1st May 1831. Mar. llth August 1801, Jean, daughter of John Pitcaim,
Merchant and Provost of Dundee.
LAKE, RICHARD. 25th November 1780.
Apprentice to James Stuart. — Son of Richard Lake, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died December 1798.
118 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
LAMBTON, STEPHEN. 11th July 1833.
Apprentice to William Renny. — Son of Arthur Lambton, residing in Norwich.
Bom 25th February 1809. Died 1851. Mar. 4th December 1833, Frances
Elizabeth, second daughter of Major George Brown, 4th Dragoons.
LAMBIE, JAMES. 29th November 1673.
Apprentice to Robert Alexander. — Mar. 30th June 1670, Janet Rae.
LAMONT, ALEXANDER, of Knockdow. 21st May 1812.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Eldest son of James Lamont of Knockdow, Argyll-
shire, ^orn 1784. Z'iet^ 21st August 1861. ilfar. 3d April 1827, Jane, daughter
of Alexander Chrystie of Balchrystie, Fifeshire.
LAMONT, WILLIAM. 1st July 1819.
Apprentice to (1) Henry Jardine; and (2) Richard Hotchkis. — Son of Peter
Lamont, Brewer in Edinburgh. Died 1858, aged 69. Was twice married.
L'AMY, JOHN RAMSAY, of Dunkenny. 22d February 1838.
Apprentice to George Combe. — Eldest son of James L'Amy of Dunkenny, Forfar-
shire, Advocate. Born 9th April 1813. Mar. (1) 10th June 1845, Mary Riche
Macleod, only daughter of WiUiam Mitchell Innes of Ayton; and (2) 10th
November 1885, Mrs. Adeline Atty or Malcolm, London.
LANG, JAMES. 16th November 1812.
Apprentice to Ninian Hill. — Son of John L.ang, Writer in Glasgow. Died 1869.
Mar. 14th April 1818, Eliza, fourth daughter of John Dickson of Kilbucho,
Peeblesshire.
LANG, WILLIAM. 27th February 1818.
Apprentice to Robert Fleming. — Son of John Lang, Sheriff-Clerk of Selkirkshire.
Born 1791. Died 12th January 1837. Mar. 27th April 1830, Isabella, daughter
of the Rev. Andrew Murray, D.D., Minister of Auchterderran.
LAUDER, DAVID. 7th April 1694.
Apprentice to George I)a,l\a,s.— Died 20th January 1709, aged 46. Mar. 18th
December 1696, Isabel, daughter of John Thomson, Merchant, Edinburgh.
LAUDER, ROBERT.
Died before 1630. Mar. 18th October 1610, Margaret Clapperton.
LAURIE, WILLIAM ALEXANDER, of Rossend. 27th June 1823.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Son of Alexander Laurie, Depute Gazette Writer.
Boi-n 1800. Di^d 27th October 1870. Mar. (1) 6th February 1821, Harriet
Oakley, youngest daughter of Robert Beatson of Kilry; and (2) 16th August
1864, Isabella Taylor, daughter of Captain William Riddock, 4th Regiment.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 119
LAURIE, WILLIAM FRANCIS HUNTER. 20th February 1834.
Apprentice to Archibald Watson Goldie. — Son of the Rev. Henry Laurie, Minister
of Lochmaben. Born 26th June 1806. Died 2d March 1869. Mar. 23d December
1834, Christina, daughter of the Rev. William Bayne of Greenock.
LAW, JAMES, OF BoGis or Bogness. 28th December 1629. ■
Keeper of the Signet, 26th December 1627.
LAW, JAMES. 17th February 1825.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of James Law of Elvingstone, Surgeon in
Edinburgh. Died 7th October 1867, aged 67. Mar. 29th July 1828, Mary, eldest
daughter of John Burnett, Surgeon in Edinburgh.
LAWSON, ALEXANDER.
Mentioned 1606.
LAWSON, JAMES. 19th June 1818.
Apprentice to James Laidlaw. — Eldest son of Peter Lawson, Seedsman in Edin-
burgh. Died 27th February 1864, aged 70. Mar. April 1826, Margaret, youngest
daughter of John Clark, Edinburgh.
LAWSON, JOHN, of Cairnmuik. 21st May 1805. '^
Apprentice to (1) Hugh Robertson ; and (2) James Dundas. — Eldest son of William
Lawson of Cairnmuir, Peeblesshire. Born 1780. Died 9th June 1834. Mar. (1)
5th January 1808, Isabella, daughter of William Robertson, Deputy-Keeper of
the Records ; and (2) 25th January 1825, Janet, second daughter of James Brown
of Edmondstone, Lanarkshire. Representative of Lawson of Highriggs.
LAWTIE, ADAM, of Sauchtonhall.
Commissioner, 1594. Son of David Lawtie, Writer, Edinburgh. Died 1628. J
LAYNG, JOHN, of Spittalls. ^^ ■
Depute-Secretary and Keeper of the Signet, 16th December 1594. Died 14th
February 1612. Mar. Rebecca Dennistoun.
LEARMONTH, JOHN.
Commissioner, 18th October 1631. Died November 1649.
LEGAT, ROBERT. 16th July 1858.
Apprentice to Adam Paterson. — Only son of Robert Legat of Esk Park, Mussel-
,,„ burgh. £w» nth April 1831. i>i«rf 6th December 1877. i¥rtr. 3d February 1866,
Emily, youngest daughter of James Eddowes, Surgeon, Royal Artillery.
LEISHMAN, JOHN. 19th November 1835.
Apprentice to William Fraser. — Only son of the Rev. Robert Leishman, Kinross.
Boirn June 1807. Died 18th September 1867. Mar. 3d March 1840, Hannah
Elizabeth, daughter of John Weatherly, Whickham House, Durham.
LEITH, JOHN ROSS.
Bee Ross, John Leith. -iJ**'^' t'"" '"" ""*. • ■■"" t'r*""*-'* '■'■''-
laO THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
LENY, GKAHAM, of Glins. 17th May 1799.
Apprentice to (1) William Anderson; and (2) Robert Dundas. — Second son of
George Leny of Nether Glins. Died 21st January 1827.
LESLIE, ALEXANDER. 21st February 1655.
Apprentice to Francis Hay. — Eldest son of Lachlane Leslie of Miltoun in
Balvanie, Banffshire. Died February 1670. Mar. (1) Margaret, daughter of
Scott, City Clerk of Edinburgh; and (2) 13th October 1668, Jean Lindsay.
Re-admitted 8th July 1661.
LESLIE, Sir JOHN, of Wardis and Findrassie, Bart. 16th November 1784.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart. — Son of Charles (John 1) Leslie, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Died 30th October 1825. 3Iar. 15th July 1794, Caroline Jemima, only
daughter and heir of Abraham Leslie of Findrassie, Elginshire. Claimed and
Assumed Baronetcy as 4th Baronet.
LESLIE, WILLIAM. 22d November 1776.
Apprentice to Alexander Robertson. — Son of Thomas Leslie, Merchant in
Montrose. Died 16th October 1798.
LEVEN, JOHN. 8th June 1804.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Son of John Leven, General Supervisor of Excise.
Barn 1780. Di^d 3d April 1862. Mar. 31st August 1826, Janet, youngest
daughter of the Rev. James Wemyss, Minister of Burntisland.
LIND, ARCHIBALD. 10th March 1808.
Apprentice to Robert Trotter. — Fourth son of David Lind of Bearlawholme.
Died 1811.
LINDESAY, JAMES. 22d June 1837.
Apprentice to Walker, Richardson, and Melville. — Son of William Lindesay, Mer-
chant in Leith. Born 16th April 1812. Died 12th January 1888, unmarried.
LINDSAY, JAMES. 1st March 1832.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of George Lindsay, residing in Edinburgh.
Barn 4th July 1806. Mar. 27th September 1849, Jessie Brand, daughter of
Robert Kellie Douglas, Birmingham.
LINDSAY, JAMES WILLIAM. 23d April 1873.
Apprentice to Patrick Blair. — Son of William Lindsay of Hermitage Hill, Leith.
Barn 5th October 1849.
LINDSAY, JOHN MACKENZIE. 17th November 1814.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Fourth son of James Lindsay Carnegie of
Boysack, Forfarshire. Born 15th March 1792. Died 4th August 1873. Mar.
22d July 1835, Florence, daughter of Rev. Charles Brown ofWhitestone Rectory,
Devon. Director of Chancery, 25th June 1858-73. Principal Clerk of Session,
26th February 1847 to 6th July 1858.
LIST OF MEMBERS 121
LINDSAY, ROBERT JOHN. 7th June 1872.
Apprentice to James Lindsay, his uncle.— Son of Robert Lindsay, Pharmaceuti-
cal Chemist in Edinburgh. Born 16th February 1848. Mar. 6th April 1887,
Isabella Littlejohn, daughter of Adam Patersou, LL.D., Writer in Glasgow.
LINDSAY, WILLIAM. 14th July 1789.
Apprentice to Archibald Tod.— Third son of Martin Lindsay, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Died 1849. Mar. 20th February 1792, daughter of John Mackenzie,
Merchant in Stirling.
LINDSAY, WILLIAM PEROIVAL. 8th October 1883.
Apprentice to (1) Henry Inglis; and (2) John W. Young and John Blair.— Son
of John Kyle Lindsay, S.S.C. Bmn 25th April 1861.
LINNING, MICHAEL, of Cumberhead. 18th June 1801.
Apprentice to James Drummond. — Son of Thomas Linning, and grandson of the
Rev. Thomas Linning, Minister of Lesmahagow. Born 1775. Died 17th Febru-
ary 1838. Mar. 29th April 1800, daughter of Henry Patrick Wilson, H.E.I.C.S.
LISTER, DAVID, of Kininmonth. 9th July 1805.
Apprentice to Edward Bruce. — Son of James Lister, Farmer, Pitlessie Mill, Fife-
shire. Died 18th December 1827, aged 66. Mar. 14th February 1801, Janet,
daughter of James Blyth of Kininmonth, and widow of Andrew Fernie of Wester
Kilmux, Fifeshire.
LITTLE, JAMES. 2d March 1804.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Youngest son of John Little of Stewarton.
Died 9th September 1816.
LITTLE, ROBERT.
See GiLMOUR, Robert Little.
LIVINGSTON, JOHN. 3d July 1828.
Apprentice to John Murray. — Son of John Livingston, Merchant in Strathblane.
Bom 1800. Died 24th November 1838, unmarried.
LIVINGSTON, JOHN CHRISTIAN. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to Robert Strathern. — Son of James Livingston, Merchant, Edinburgh.
Born 14th January 1866.
LOCH, JAMES. 4th July 1769.
Apprentice to James Syme. — Third son of William Loch of Hawkshaw, Writer in
Edinburgh. Died 2d September 1793. Mar. Miss Colville of Sunbury. H.M.
Remembrancer to the Court of Exchequer.
LOCKHART, EPHRAIM. 25th February 1803.
Apprentice to (1) William Blair; and (2) Campbell Adie.— Sonof Ephraim Lock-
hart of the Customs, Leith. Died 26th November 1850, aged 74. Mar. 22d April
1818, Janet, daughter of John Learmonth, Parkhall, Stirlingshire.
122 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
LOCKHART, NORMAN, of Taebrax. 21st May 1805.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Third son of Charles Lockhart of Muiravon-
side. Died 5th March 1853, aged 73. Mar. 3d January 1806, Phillis Barbara,
daughter of John Macmurdo, Dumfries.
LOCKHART, WILLIAM. 8th December 1662.
Apprentice to John Semple. — Son of James Lockhart of Cleghome, Lanarkshire.
Having been appointed Commissary of Lanark, suspended 8th January 1666.
LOGAN, ALEXANDER CHRISTOPHER. 18th April 1877.
Apprentice to A. Hamilton, G. T. Kinnear and Robert Beatson. — Son of Alexander
Stuart Logan, Advocate, Sheriff of Forfarshire. Born 7th May 1851.
LOGAN, CHARLES BOWMAN. 9th February 1860.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Logan, W.S. — Bom 3d May 1837. Mar. 16th
July 1863, Margaret Carrick, daughter of Robert Romanes of Craigerne, Peebles-
shire. Fiscal, 1883-87. Crown Agent, 1883-85, and February to June 1886.
Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 15th December 1887.
LOGAN, DAVID. 1612.
Died 19th January 1614. Mar. 11th April 1611, Martha Muire.
LOGAN, EDMUND. 4th February 1830.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Fourth son of William Logan of Clarkston. Bkd
24th January 1865, aged 61, unmarried.
LOGAN", GEORGE. 12th December 1822.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Eldest son of Robert Logan, Milldown, Berwick-
shire. Born 1799. Died 18th July 1877. Mar. 5th August 1823, Marion,
second daughter of Thomas Manson, Lambeth. Clerk of Teinds, 1841-77.
LOGAN, JOHN. 19th November 1829.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie and William Innes. — Son of Robert Logan,
residing in Lanark. Boi-n 25th August 1792. Died 11th July 1883. Mar. 7th
August 1833, Helen, daughter of Charles Bowman, Depute-CIerk of Teinds.
LOGIE, WILLIAM. 1st March 1832.
Apprentice to Gibson and Oliphant. — Son of Major Logic, 97th Regiment. Born
18th December 1808. Died 15th November 1872. ifar. 1st June 1837, Jane
Hewat, eldest daughter of James Black, Glasgow. Sheriff-Substitute at Airdrie,
1858-72.
LONGMORE, JOHN ALEXANDER, of Deanshaugh. 12th November 1835.
Apprentice to John Donaldson. — Only son of Adam Longmore, Junr., of the
Exchequer. Boi-n 28th October 1812. Died 16th April 1875, unmarried.
LOTHIAN, EDWARD. . 7th July 1795.
Apprentice to Charles Innes. — Son of the Rev. William Lothian, D.D., Minister of
Canongate. Died 12th April 1840. Admitted Advocate, 3d June 1815.
LIST OF MEMBEES 1»
LOTHIAN, JAMES HUGH. 7th July 1820.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Eldest son of the Eev. Andrew Lothian, Minister
of the Associate Congregation of PortsburgL Died 3d April 1831.
LOUDON, CHARLES EDWARD. 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to R B. Ranken. — Son of William Loudon, Administrator-General,
Bombay. Born 6th January 1865,
LOUTFOUT, JOHN. 3d October 1671.
Apprentice to George Sibbald. — Son to John Loutfout, Tailor, Burgess of Edin-
burgh, representative of the family of Orchil. Died 1709. Treasurer, 1699-1703.
Keeper of the Privy Seal.
LOW, GEORGE 23d April 1873.
Apprentice to John Brown Innes. — Youngest son of James Low of Laws, Berwick-
shire. Born 7th March 1849. Mar. 27th April 1880, Agnes Elizabeth, third
daughter of Major Jocelyn Ffoulkes of Eriviatt, Denbighshire.
LOW, HENRY MALCOLM. 3d July 1820.
Apprentice to Samuel C. Somerville and Charles B. Scott. — Son of Robert Low
of Clatto, Fifeshire. Died at Meeady, Pegu, 5th April 1858, aged 60, unmarried.
LOWE, WILLIAM DUNCAN. 18th March 1889.
Apprentice to J. A. Jamieson, G. Dalziel, J. Craik, and J. W. Tod. — Fourth
son of John Duncan Lowe, Publisher, Edinburgh. Born 22d April 1849. Mar.
2d April 1890, Edith Campbell, daughter of Rev. Robert Gordon Balfour, of New
North Free Church, Edinburgh.
LUMSDEN, CLEMENTS. 8th July 1823.
Apprentice to Richard Hotchkis and James Tytler. — Son of Harry Lumsden of
Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire. Died 27th November 1853, aged 60. Mar. 3d July
1827, Jane, third daughter of James Forbes of Echt, Aberdeenshire. Admitted
to Society of Advocates in Aberdeen, 1825.
LUMSDEN, JOHN, of Blanerne. 3d February 1701.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Second son of Robert Lumsden of Stravithy.
Died 27th December 1757.
LUMSDAINE, WILLIAM. 24th February 1778.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Fourth son of James Lumsdaine of Strath-
tjrrum. Died 19th January 1794. Mar. 14th October 1781, Ann, daughter of
Sir Alexander Gordon of Lesmore, Bart.
LUNDIE, ARCHIBALD. 9th August 1782.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Menzies ; and (2) John Moir. — Only son of the Rev.
Henry Lundie, of Trinity College Church, Edinburgh. Bom 1748. Died 4th
May 1841.
1S4 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
LYALL, DAVID. 4th December 1823.
Apprentice to Richard Cowan. — Son of Alexander Lyall, Comptroller of the
Customs, Aberdeen. Died 17th October 1826.
LYELL, DAVID. 28th January 1881.
Apprentice to Thomas E. 0. Home. — Son of David Lyell, S.S.C, Edinburgh.
Bm-n 19th May 1857. Mar. 14th June 1887, Florence, eldest daughter of
William Tolson, Fazeley, Stafford.
LYON, DAVID. 11th August 1682.
Apprentice to John Lyon. — Son of William Lyon of Easter Ogil. Died 1726.
Mar. May, daughter of Mr. Alexander Guthrie, Minister of Stracathro, Forfar-
shire. Commissary of Brechin.
LYON, GEORGE, of Wester Ogil. 15th June 1810.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Eldest son of Hugh Lyon, Captain in the
Service of the English East India Company. Died 14th November 1866, aged 80.
Mar. 28th March 1810, Catherine, third daughter of the Rev. Thomas Fleming,
D.D., Minister of Lady Yester's Church, Edinburgh.
LYON, JOHN. 2d December 1672.
Apprentice to Alexander Leslie. — Mar. 1st March 1667, Helen Ramsay.
LYONS, MATHIAS. 1st March 1799.
Apprentice to Horatius Cannan. — Eldest son of Mathias Lyons, Merchant in
Lerwick. Died 1837.
MACALISTER, CHARLES. 20th November 1818.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Youngest son of Alexander Macalister of Strathaird,
Skye. Drowned on board the steamer Comet ofiFGourock, 2l8t October 1825.
MACALLAN, ALLAN BERTRAM. 18th November 1858.
Apprentice to David Smith. — Son of James Macallan, W.S. Born 26th June
1836. Died 19th March 1888. Mar. 19th August 1876, Agnes Gertrude, eldest
daughter of David L. Bum, St. Andrews.
MACALLAN, JAMES. 12th December 1816.
Apprentice to Francis Wilson. — Son of Thomas Macallan, Officer of Excise,
Edinburgh. Died 16th June 1868, aged 76. Mar. (1) 30th April 1822,
Catherine, eldest daughter of Robert Ainslie, W.S. ; and (2) 27th July 1826,
Cecilia, daughter of William Bertram of Nisbet, Lanarkshire.
MACANDREW, JOHN LEWIS. 3d May 1881.
Apprentice to Robert Macandrew and J. P. Wright. — Only son of John Mac-
andrew, S.S.C. Born 17th July 1857. Mar. 29th January 1889, Elsie Mabel,
only daughter of Major-General W. Lambert Yonge of Westwood, Frimley,
Surrey.
LIST OF MEMBEES 125
MACANDREW, ROBERT. 12th July 1860.
Apprentice to William Ramsay Kermack. — Son of Robert Macandrew of the
Chancery Office, Edinburgh. Bam 7th October 1832. Died 18th February 1876,
unmarried.
MACAO, WILLIAM ROSS. 29th January 1824.
Apprentice to Joseph Gordon. — Son of William Macao, Accountant of Excise,
Edinburgh. Born 1799. Died 25th September 1881. Mar. (1) April 1832,
Caroline, daughter of Alexander Anderson of Udoll; and (2) 19th August 1879,
Adeline Louise, daughter of Chauncey Marshall, Merchant, State of New York.
MACARA, JAMES. 23d January 1818.
Apprentice to Robert Fleming. — Son of the Rev. John Macara, Minister of the
Antiburgher Congregation, Path of Struie. Bm-n 1788. Died 22d January 1855.
Mar. 11th July 1834, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Halkerston, S.S.C, LL.D.
Author of The Four Leading Doctrines of the New Jerusalem.
MACARA, LAURENCE MUDIE. 19th December 1833.
Apprentice to .^neas Macbean. — Son of Robert Macara, Merchant in Dun
fermline. Bom September 1804. Died 15th December 1875, unmarried.
MACARTNEY, JOHN.
Intimation to be given him, May 1636.
MACARTNEY, WILLIAM.
Died before 1614.
MACAULAY, THOMAS.
Signs Minute of 19th November 1596. Clerk to Society. Died about 1647.
Mar. Katherine Wallace.
MACBAYNE, JOHN CLERIHEW. 30th November 1792.
Apprentice to John Smyth. — Only son of Lauchlan Macbayue, Grocer, Edinburgh.
Died 14th November 1800. Mar. Susan Kerr.
MACBEAN, ^NEAS. 27th November 1807.
Apprentice to Archibald Milne. — Son of Alexander Macbean, Merchant in
Campbelltown. Born 11th September 1776. Died 30th August 1857, unmarried.
MACBEAN, ^NEAS. 16th November 1848.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean, his uncle. — Son of the Rev. Hugh Macbean,
Minister of Ardclach. Born 13th June 1820. Mar. 15th April 1852, Mary Ann,
second daughter of Harry Gordon, Liverpool. Circuit Clerk of Justiciary, 1864.
MACBEAN, HARRY HAVELOCK. 25th May 1883.
Apprentice to, and son of, .^Eneas Macbean, W.S. — Born 1st November 1857.
t«6 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
M'CALLUM, GEORGE KELLIE, of Braco. 18th November 1825.
Apprentice to John Forman.— Only son of George M'Callum of Thornhill, Perth-
shire. Bvrn 1804. Died 2d June 1884. Mar. 21st July 1841, Margaret Ann,
only surviving daughter of George Kellie, M.D., Leith.
M'CANDLISH, JOHN M'GREGOR. 12th June 1845.
Apprentice to John Archibald Campbell. — Son of William M'Candlish, Receiver-
General of Taxes for Scotland. Born 12th January 1821. Mar. 20th August
1863, Mary Sibbald, eldest daughter of Patrick Dalmalioy, W.S. General
Manager and Actuary of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Company.
President of the Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland.
M'CHEYNE, ADAM. 15th December 1814. "
Apprentice to Robert Graham. — Son of William M'Cheyne, Thornhill. Bom
1781. Died 24th February 1854. Mar. 1st November 1802, Lockhart Murray,
daughter of David Dickson of Locherwoods, Dumfriesshire.
M'CHEYNE, DAVID THOMAS. 30th November 1826.
Apprentice to, and son of, Adam M'Cheyne, W.S. — Born 1804. Died 3d July
1831, unmarried.
M'CLELLAND, GEORGE HUTCHISON. 27th February 1823.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Third son of Thomas M'Clelland, Agent for
the Bank of Scotland, Ayr. Bom 26th December 1800. Died 19th October 1867,
unmarried. Author of Predestination and Election Vindicated from the Dependence
on Moral Necessity, 1848.
M'COOK, JAMES. 23d November 1813.
Apprentice to George Robinson. — Eldest son of James M'Cook, Advocate in
Aberdeen. Died 28th April 1847, aged 59. Mar. 25th April 1820, Ann, only
daughter of Thomas Laing.
M'CULLOCH, JOHN SHEPPARD. 13th January 1890.
Apprentice to R. L. and J. G. Stuart. — Son of John M'Casland M'Culloch of the
British Linen Bank, Edinburgh. Bom 18th June 1867.
M'CULLOCH, WALTER, of Ardwall. 11th March 1830.
Apprentice to John Gibson, Junr. — Second son of James Murray M'Culloch of
Ardwall, Kirkcudbrightshire. Bom 21st November 1807. Steward-Clerk of
Kirkcudbright, 1849-59.
MACDONALD, ALEXANDER, of Calley. 24th November 1774.
Apprentice to Alexander Cunningham.— Eldest son of Duncan Macdonald, Writer
in Edinburgh. Died 6th February 1813.
MACDONALD, COLL, of Dalness. 18th March 1788.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Eldest son of James Macdonald of Dalness,
Argyllshire. Bmn 1762. Died 1st January 1837. Mar. 22d October 1796,
Elizabeth Barbour, daughter of Captain Donald Macbean, 10th Regiment.
T LIST OF MEMBEES 187
MACDONALD, DUNCAN. 7th March 1833.
Apprentice to, and son of, Coll Macdonald, W.S. — Born 9th November 1809.
Died at Demerara 8th June 1842, unmarried.
MACDONALD, GEORGE RAINY. 24th October 1885.
Apprentice to Thomas S. Maclaren and William Traquair, Junr. — Son of Harry
Macdonald, Writer and Banker in Portree. Born 11th December 1860.
MACDONALD, HECTOR.
See Buchanan, Hector Macdonald.
MACDONALD, JAMES. 28th October 1874.
Apprentice to John Auld. — Son of John Macdonald, Accountant, Edinburgh.
Born 3d July 1850. Mar. 18th December 1889, Isabella Wilhelmina, younger
daughter of Rev. William Cousin, Melrose.
MACDONALD, JAMES CUMMING RAFF. 14th July 1884.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of James Macdonald, LL.D., Rector of Ayr
Academy. Bwn 13th August 1858.
MACDONALD, MATHEW NORMAN.
See Hume, Mathew Norman Macdonald.
MACDONALD, RANALD GEORGE MEYRITT. 12th November 1835.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Fourth son of LieutenantrColonel Robert Mac-
donald of Inchkenneth, Argyllshire. Born 25th February 1810. Died 19th
September 1875. Mar. (1) 24th May 1836, AHcia Jane, eldest daughter of Rev.
Nathaniel Bridges, Vicar of Hensbridge; and (2) 16th September 1875, Mary
Ann, daughter of W. Horsman, and widow of E. Sandys Bain of Easter Livilands,
Stirlingshire, Sergeant-at-Law.
MACDONALD, THOMAS. 19th July 1779.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Eldest son of James Macdonald of Falside,
Sheriff-Substitute of Kincardine. Died 1821. Mar. 1st June 1780, Sarah,
daughter of George Skene of Skene.
MACDONALD, WILLLAM, of St. M.uitins. 11th January 1762.
Apprentice to Robert Grant. — Eldest son of James Macdonald of Ranathan, Perth-
shire. Born 1732. Died 17th May 1814. Mar. 4th January 1772, Cecilia,
daughter of David Kinloch of Kilry, Perthshire.
MACDONELL, ALEXANDER. 25th May 1826.
Apprentice to James Macdonell. — Youngest son of Alexander Macdonell, Writer
in Inverness. Died 11th August 1851, aged 50, unmarried. Sheriff-Substitute of
Wigtownshire, 1829-47.
MACDONELL, JAMES, of Milnfield. 17th May 1811.
Apprentice to Coll Macdonald. — Eldest son of Alexander Macdonell, Writer in
Inverness. Bom 1785. Died 23d November 1841. Ma/r. 4th January 1813,
Mary Proby, second daughter of George Mackenzie of Pitlundie.
1^ THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
MACDOUGALL, PATRICK, of Crichen. 20th July 1704.
Apprentice to Harry NicolL — Died May 1734. Mar. 20th March 1701, Elizabeth,
daughter of Robert Martin of Burnbrae.
MACDOUGALL, ALLAN, of Gallanach. 25th June 1770.
Apprentice to Colquhoun Grant. — Eldest son of Dugald Macdougall of Gallanach,
Argyllshire. Died 24th December 1807. Mar. Margaret, second daughter of John
Hay of Newhall, Mid-Lothian, Agent for the Commissioners of Annexed Estates.
MACDOUGALL, ALLAN, of Hayfield. 26th February 1824.
Apprentice to John Young. — Son of Patrick Macdougall of Macdougall. Born
1798. Died 3d August 1876, unmarried.
MACDOUGALL, PATRICK, of Gallanach. 27th June 1839.
Apprentice to John Patten. — Eldest son of Dugald Macdougall of Gallanach,
Argyllshire. Born 26th November 1817. Died 5th April 1866, unmarried.
MACDO WALL, CHARLES. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to John Campbell quartus. — Son of Archibald Macdowall, Surveyor
of Customs of Leith. Boi-n 1796. Died 27th July 1837. Mar. 26th November
1832, Jane Margaret Sawers, daughter of John Finnic of Swanston.
MACDUFF, ALEXANDER, of Bonhard. 14th November 1839.
Apprentice to David Welsh. — Son of Alexander Macduff of Bonhard, Perthshire.
Born 5th December 1816. Died 20th March 1866. Mar. 21st September 1842,
Mary, daughter of Francis Brown of Jordanhill, Trinidad.
MACDUFF, ALEXANDER, of Bonhard. 28th January 1876.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black, and J. M. Mackenzie. — Son of
Alexander Macduff of Bonhard, W.S. Born 29th July 1849, Mar. 16th May
1883, Edith Alexandrina, younger daughter of John Shiell of Smithfield, Forfar-
shire.
M'EWAN, JAMES, of Bardrochwood. 16th December 1830.
Apprentice to Thomas Grierson. — Son of Robert M'Ewan, Factor for Lady
Crawford at Rozelle, Ayrshire. Born 21st July 1801. Di^d 13th July 1874,
unmarried.
MACEWAN, WILLIAM, of Muckly. 25th February 1740.
Apprentice to Archibald Stewart. — Son of John MacEwan of Muckly, Commissary
Clerk of Dunkeld. Disd 7th February 1765. Mar. (1) Grizel, third daughter of
Dr. Thomas Rattray of Craighall, Perthshire; and (2) November 1757, Mark,
daughter of Thomas Douglas.
MACEWAN, WILLIAM. 4th July 1809.
Apprentice to Coll Macdonald. — Eldest son of Daniel MacEwan, Cattle-dealer at
Bum of Ruskie. Died 3d October 1821. Mar. Ist August 1814, E , daughter
of Lindsay, Stockbridge, EdinburgL
LIST OF MEMBEES 129
MACEWEN, WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 28th January 1876.
Apprentice to Alexander F. Adam and John Kirk. — Son of John MacEwen of
Broomhill, Inverness. Barn 17th September 1849. Mar. 29th July 1882,
Margaret, second daughter of David Croall of Southfield, Mid-Lothian.
MACFAELANE, JAMES, of Balwill. 6th June 1833.
Apprentice to Alexander Young. — Son of James Macfarlane of Balwill, Stirling-
shire. Born 3d December 1809. Died 18th June 1870, unmarried.
MACFARLANE, JOHN. 24th December 1678.
Apprentice to John Bayne. — Died 3d November 1709, aged 65. Mar. (1) 16th
August 1680, Euphan Ritchie j and (2) June 1700, Christian, daughter of John
Hamilton of Bangour, Linlithgowshire. Treasurer, 1691-7.
MACFARLANE, JOHN. 12th November 1709.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Macfarlane, W.S. — Died 30th April 1771. Mar.
January 1733, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie, Bart.
MACFARLANE, ROBERT. 29th June 1827.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Only son of Parian Macfarlane, Tacksman of
Glenmallashan, Dumbartonshire. Bwn 30th July 1802. Died 3d November 1880.
Mar. 21st October 1843, Grace Addison, daughter of James Greig of Eccles, W.S.
Admitted Advocate 9th March 1838. Appointed Sheriff of Renfrewshire 1853,
raised to the bench with the title of Lord Ormidale, February 1862.
MACFARLANE, WILLIAM. 19th November 1782.
Apprentice to Colquhoim Grant. — Son of Daniel Macfarlane, Brewer in Portsburgh.
Born 1749. Died 13th July 1831. Mar. (1) Barbara Waugh; and (2) 19th
April 1811, Jane, eldest daughter of James Sommers, Writer, Edinburgh.
MACFARQUHAR, JOHN. 1st August 1788.
Apprentice to William Charles Craigie.— Son of George Macfarquhar, Coach-
painter in Edinburgh. Died 10th June 1817. Mar. 15th October 1793, Bethia,
daughter of Lawrence Brown of Edmonston.
MACGILL, JOHN.
Signs Mmute of 16th December 1594. Mar. 6th August 1606, Marion Sandilands.
MACGILLIVRAY, WILLIAM. 3d November 1870.
Apprentice to (1) John Dundas; and (2) Alexander Howe.— Son of Alexander
Macgillivray, residing at Carron Terrace, Stonehaven. Bm-n 30th May 1823.
Mar. 29th July 1868, Margaret, youngest daughter of John Dods, Brewer, Dunbar.
MACGLASHAN, ROBERT, of Eastertyre. 9th March 1814.
Apprentice to Robert Graham. — Second son of Major Alexander Macglashan of
Eastertyre, Perthshire. Dtet^ 1st August 1825.
180 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
MACGOWAN, JOHN. 24th January 1712.
Died 18th August 1762. Mar. 1st April 1713, Margaret, daughter of Francis
Borthwick of Hartsyde.
MACGREGOE, JOHN. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to John W. Young and John Blair. — Eldest son of Malcolm
Macgregor, S.S.O., Edinburgh. Born 6th January 1864.
MACGEEGOE, EONALD. 18th July 1854.
Apprentice to Edmund Baxter. — Eldest son of James Macgregor, Writer in Fort-
William. Born 17th May 1830. Died 19th February 1868. Mar. 30th April
1860, Duncana M'Lachlan, youngest daughter of Alexander Gumming of Grie-
shernish. Isle of Skye.
MACHAEG, JAMES. 7th March 1788.
Apprentice to John Hunter. — Son of Archibald Macharg, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 1794.
M'INTOSH, CHARLES. 13th July 1775.
Apprentice to Eobert Jamieson. — Second son of John M'Intosh, Bailie and
Merchant in Inverness. Died 26th November 1812, aged 71.
M'INTOSH, DONALD. 4th March 1816.
Apprentice to Kenneth Mackenzie. — Eldest son of Campbell M'Intosh of
Dalmigavie, Writer in Inverness. Bom 1792. Died 19th October 1832, unmarried.
M'INTOSH, GEOEGE. 27th October 1882.
Apprentice to Hew Hamilton Crichton. — Eldest son of George M'Intosh, S.S.C.,
Edinburgh. Bam 5th October 1859.
MACK, AITCHISON ALEXANDEE, of Burnside. 28th June 1827.
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas and John Innes. — Sixth son of William Mack,
Writer in Airdrie. Born 1803. Died 25th April 1843. Mar. 30th October
1829, Martha, youngest daughter of John White, Memus, Forfarshire.
MACK, OR MAK, GEOEGE.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. — Son of George Mack, Writer in Edinburgh.
Fiscal 1604. Died 3d November 1622. Mar. Agnes Hay.
MACK, GEOEGE. 7th November 1631.
Apprentice to William Kellie. — Nephew of George Mack, W.S. Treasurer,
1654-9. Died December 1664. Ee-admitted 21st November 1661.
MACK, JOHN. 7th June 1667.
Apprentice to, and only son of, George Mack, W.S. — Mar. Mary Hepburn.
MACK, EOBEET. 21st November 1820.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of William Mack, Writer in Airdrie. Died
12th December 1827. ,.>■ li ■ . , ,r , ■
LIST OF MEMBEES jTH'i 131
MACKAY, JAMES. 14th March 1867.
Apprentice to, and son of, Robert Mackay, W.S.—Born 16th April 1844. Died
25th December 1876, unmarried.
MACKAY, JAMES FRANCIS. 10th October 1877.
Apprentice to Donald Beith.— Son of John Mackay, Pharmaceutical Chemist in
Edinburgh. Born 6th April 1855. Mar. 14th April 1886, Annie Alma, daughter
of David Croall of Southfield, Mid-Lothian.
MACKAY, ROBERT. 24th November 1831.
Apprentice to Gibson and Oliphant. — Son of James Mackay, Jeweller in Edin-
burgh. Bom 6th March 1807. Died 11th May 1872. Mar. 13th March 1835,
Elinor, only daughter of John Thorbum, Merchant in Leith.
MACKAY, THOMAS GEORGE. 8th March 1827.
Apprentice to Richard Mackenzie. — Son of Captain ^neas Mackay of Scotston,
Peeblesshire. Born 11th March 1803. Died 1st May 1864. Mar. 12th October
1838, Mary, daughter of John Kirkcaldy of Baldovie, Forfarshire.
M'KEAN, HUGH. 16th November 1831.
Apprentice to (1) John M'Kean; (2) William Mackenzie; and (3) J. T. Gibson
Craig. — Son of Andrew M'Kean of Locharwoods, Dumfriesshire. Born 30th
June 1809. Mar. 11th August 1840, Ann Hally, third daughter of George
Knight, Edinburgh.
M'KEAN, JOHN. 6th March 1817.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Cathcart; (2) John Kermack. — Son of Andrew M'Kean
of Locharwoods. Born 4th May 1794. Died 3d January 1839. Mar. 24th
July 1820, Margaret, youngest daughter of John Thomson, Leith. Manager of
Scottish Widows' Fund.
MACKENZIE, ALEXANDER, of Delvine. 15th December 1714.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Second son of John Mackenzie of Delvine, Perth-
sWre. Died July 1737. Principal Clerk of Session, 12th December 1718 till death.
MACKENZIE, ALEXANDER, of Portmore. 15th July 1763.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie. — Son of Alexander Mackenzie, Bailie and
Merchant in Dingwall. Born 5th February 1735. Died 4th September 1805.
Mar. 25th October 1766, Ann, eldest daughter of Colin Mackenzie of Kilcoy,
Ross-shire.
MACKENZIE, ALEXANDER, of Meikle Scatwell. 24th June 1835.
Apprentice to Alexander Monypenny. — Eldest son of William Mackenzie of
Muirton, W.S. Born 28th February 1812. Mar. 6th January 1842, Marion
Dalrymple, daughter of John Mansfield of Midmar, Aberdeenshire. Keeper of
Register of Homings, etc., 1839-44. , „ ,, ,1,,, ■.,r, ,,,,.1.--
132 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
MACKENZIE, ANDEEW. 3d July 1778.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie. — Second son of Kenneth Mackenzie, Professor of
Civil Law in the University of Edinburgh. Died 10th September 1793. Mar.
30th April 1789, Janet, daughter of James Goodlet Campbell of Achlyne,
Perthshire.
MACKENZIE, COLIN,. of Rosend. 25th July 1722.
Apprentice to Alexander Mackenzie. — Son of Colin Mackenzie of Eosend. Died
3d December 1746.
MACKENZIE, COLIN, of Portmore. 2l8t November 1790.
Apprentice to, and son of, Alexander Mackenzie of Portmore, Peeblesshire, W.S.
—Born nth January 1770. Died 16th September 1830. Mar. 13th May 1803,
Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart. Principal Clerk of
Session, Hth November 1804 to 23d Febniary 1828. Deputy-Keeper of the
Signet, 1820-28.
MACKENZIE, COLIN. 14th July 1864.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Hay Mackenzie, W.S. — Bwn 2 2d April 1 841 .
Died 1.5th July 1882, unmarried. Deputy-Keeper of the Great Seal, 186G-82.
MACKENZIE, DONALD. 1.5th November 1872.
Apprentice to John Clerk Brodie. — Eldest son of Donald Mackenzie, Advocate,
one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Barn 10th July 1844. Mar. 13th
July 1878, Laura Augusta Mackenzie, second daughter of Lynedoch Douglas,
fifth son of General Sir Kenneth Douglas, Bart., of Glenbervie.
MACKENZIE, GEOEGE. 30th November 1675.
Apprentice to John Bayne.
MACKENZIE, GEOEGE. 15th July 1852.
Apprentice to (1) Arthur Campbell; and (2) John Ord Mackenzie, his brother.
— Fifth son of Richard Mackenzie of Dolphinton, W.S. Born 12th September
1828. Died 16th September 1871. Mar. 16th April 1858, Agnes, second
daughter of James Valentine Hagart of Glendelvine, Perthshire.
MACKENZIE, JAMES. 10th March 1806.
Apprentice to Alexander Grant. — Third son of Henry Mackenzie of the Exchequer,
"The Man of Feeling." Died 7th February 1870, aged 90, unmarried.
MACKENZIE, JAMES HAY. 1st March 1831.
Apprentice to (1) William Mackenzie ; and (2) Eichard Mackenzie. — Second son
of Colin Mackenzie of Portmore, W.S. Born 1810. Died 16th February 1865.
Mar. (1) nth April 1838, Janet Isabella, eldest daughter of James Wedderbum,
Advocate, Solicitor-General for Scotland; and (2) 4th March 1863, Selina Jane
Norton, widow of Donald Hume Macleod, 68th Eegiment. Keeper of Register
of Inhibitions, etc., 1844-65. Deputy-Keeper of the Great Seal, 1858-65.
LIST OF MEMBEES 133
MACKENZIE, JOHN, of Delvine. [No date] 1737.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville. — Fourth son of John Mackenzie of Delvine.
Died 14th June 1778. Mar. Miss Ronton of Lamerton. Deputy-Keeper of the
Signet, 1770-78. Principal Clerk of Session, 8th March 1776.
MACKENZIE, JOHN, of Letterewk 15th December 1825.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie and Alexander Monypenny. — Eldest son of
Alexander Mackenzie of Letterewe, Ross-shire. Died 4th January 1834, aged 33,
unmarried.
MACKENZIE, JOHN. 23d June 1853.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Whitefoord Mackenzie, W.S. — Born 3d September
1830.
MACKENZIE, JOHN. 18th November 1861.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Ord Mackenzie of Dolphinton, Lanarkshire, W.S.
— Bom 1st March 1838. Died 22d August 1868, unmarried.
MACKENZIE, JOHN MANSFIELD. 18th March 1869.
Apprentice to (1) Thomas G. Mackay and Alexander Howe; and (2) Colin
Mackenzie. — Second son of Alexander Mackenzie of Meikle Scatwell, Ross-shire,
W.S. Bom 20th January 1846.
MACKENZIE, JOHN ORD, of Dolphinton. 26th June 1832,
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Richard Mackenzie of Dolphinton, W.S. — Born
18th March 1811. Mar. (1) 25th April 1833, Margaret Hope, daughter of Sir
Thomas Kirkpatrick, Bart., of Closeburn, Dumfriesshire ; and (2) 20th January
1881, Joanna, elder daughter of William Spens, Manager of the Scottish
Amicable Assurance Company, Glasgow.
MACKENZIE, JOHN WHITEFOORD. 26th May 1818.
Apprentice to Francis Napier. — Eldest son of John Mackenzie, M.D., Edinburgh.
Born 29th August 1794. Died 8th November 1884. Mar. 2d October 1826,
Jane Campbell, daughter of John Gordon of Carleton, Ayrshire, W.S.
MACKENZIE, KENNETH. 21st November 1777.
Apprentice to John Eraser. — Second son of Kenneth Mackenzie of Dundonnell,
Ross-shire. Died 1790.
MACKENZIE, KENNETH, of Inverinate. 29th June 1786,
Apprentice to Alexander Mackenzie. — Son of John Mackenzie of Brae. Died
20th November 1820. Mar. 27th October 1787, Ann, second daughter of
Thomas Mackenzie of Applecross, Ross-shire.
MACKENZIE, KENNETH. 15th December 1825.
Apprentice to Kenneth and Thomas Mackenzie. — Second son of Alexander
Mackenzie of Hilton, Ross-shire. Bm-n 1798. Died in Canada 19th May 1874.
Mar. (!) 1831, Anne Urquhart, Aberdeen; and (2) 26th October 1853, Elizabeth
Charlotte Jones,
134 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
MACKENZIE, RICHARD, of Dolphinton. 8th March 1803.
Apprentice to Kenneth Mackenzie. — Son of John Mackenzie of Dolphinton.
Bom 2d August 1780. Died 22d March 1850. Mar. 3d April 1810, Jane, daugh-
ter of Captain John Hamilton, 73d Regiment. Fiscal, 1820-24. Treasurer,
1824-28. Joint Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 1828-50.
MACKENZIE, ROBERT, of Salachary. 9th July 1801.
Apprentice to Kenneth Mackenzie. — Son of William Mackenzie, "Writer in Inver-
aray. Bom 1774. Died 29th March 1838. Mar. 18th May 1835, Mary, widow
of Duncan Campbell of Duncholgine, Argyllshire.
MACKENZIE, RODERICK. 23d November 1819.
Apprentice to .-Eneas Macbean. — Son of George Mackenzie of Inniklet. Bom
1793. Disd 4th January 1844. Mar. 28th October 1822, Euphemia, eldest
daughter of Andrew Johnston of Rennyhill, Fifeshire.
MACKENZIE, THOMAS, of Applecross. 4th March 1816.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Kenneth Mackenzie of Inverinate, W.S. — Bom
1793. Died 9th June 1856. 3Iar. 13th May 1817, Margaret, daughter of George
Mackenzie of Avoch, Ross-shire. M.P. for Ross and Cromarty, 1837-47.
MACKENZIE, THOMAS. 13th November 1849.
Apprentice to Arthur Campbell. — Third son of Thomas Mackenzie, W.S. Bom
28th November 1822. Died 11th March 1884, unmarried.
MACKENZIE, WILLIAM, of Muirton. 25th February 1803.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie, his brother. — Seventh son of Alexander Mac-
kenzie of Portmore, W.S. 5om 1st October 1780. Died 28th April 1856. Mar.
(1) 6th July 1809, Mary, eldest daughter of James Mansfield of Midmar; and (2)
9th April 1821, Alice, eldest daughter of Andrew Wauchope of Niddrie-Marischal,
Mid-Lothian. Keeper of the Register of Homings, etc., 1829-39.
MACKERSY, LINDSAY. 15th March 1860.
Apprentice to, and son of, William Mackersy, W.S. — Bom 10th December 1831.
Mar. 2d August 1859, Ann Helena, youngest daughter of James Charles Stuart
of Erncrogo, Kirkcudbrightshire.
MACKERSY, WILLIAM. 8th July 1823.
Apprentice to Charles Tawse. — Son of the Rev. John Mackersy, D.D., Minister of
West Calder. Bom 1795. Died 3d October 1875. Mar. 4th August 1829,
Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Robert Walker of Sunny Bank, Fifeshire.
MACKERSY, WILLIAM ROBERT. 17th January 1888.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Pringle; and (2) George Dunlop. — Son of Lindsay
Mackersy, W.S. Born 1st December 1863. Mar. 10th June 1890, Mary Luke,
youngest daughter of John Bainbridge Callum, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBEES 135
MACKINTOSH, SIMON FRASER. 15th January 1819.
Appreritice to Richard Hotchkis. — Son of James Mackintosh of Farr, Invemess-
shire. Died 10th September 1842, aged 53, unmarried.
MACKINTOSH, THOMAS. 12th April 1887.
Apprentice to John William Young and John Blair. — Son of the Rev. Thomas
Mackintosh, Minister of St. Cyrus. Bom 12th October 1863.
MACKNIGHT, JAMES, of Dalsraith. 5th December 1833.
Apprentice to James and Charles Nairne. — Son of the Rev. Thomas Macknight,
D.D., Minister of Old Church, Edinburgh. Barn 23d September 1810. Died 6th
November 1878. Mar. 28th April 1842, Helen, third daughter of Commander
Hugh Pearson, E.N., of Myrecaimie and Vellore. Edited, for the Abbotsford and
Maitland Clubs, Memoirs of Sir Ewen Cameron of Lodieil, 1848.
MACKNIGHT, SAMUEL. 7th March 1786.
Apprentice to (1) John Bell; and (2) John Tait. — Son of the Rev. James Mac-
knight, D.D., Minister of Lady Yester's, Edinburgh. Died 24th August 1807.
MACLACHLAN, GEORGE, of Maclachlan. 30th November 1826.
Apprentice to Robert Mackenzie. — Son of Donald Maclachlan of Maclachlan.
5oTO 1803. I)j«(Z 7th August 1877. ilfar. Mary, daughter of John Thow.
MACLACHLAN, JOHN, of Maclachlan. 13th April 1885.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Second and eldest surviving son of George
Maclachlan of Maclachlan, W.S. Bom 3d January 1859.
MACLACHLAN, ROBERT. 18th October 1886.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black and J. M. Mackenzie. — Third son
of George Maclachlan of Maclachlan, W.S. Born 20th September 1860. Mar. 25th
April 1883, Helen Louisa, daughter of Captain Hale Monro of Ingsdon, Devon.
M'LACHLAN, WILLIAM MACKAY. 20th October 1885.
Apprentice to William Campbell M'Ewen.— Son of the Rev. James M'Lachlan,
Minister of Inveravon, Banffshire. Born 19th November 1861.
MACLAEEN, THOMAS SHAW, of Shawfield. 15th July 1874.
Apprentice to William Traquair. — Son of James Maclaren of Dalnabrick, Perth-
shire. Born 7th August 1841. Mar. 25th January 1883, Isabella Davidson, elder
daughter of John Smith, Banker and Solicitor, Anstruther.
M'LAREN, LAURENCE. 14th July 1890.
Apprentice to John Rutherford. — Son of John M'Laren, Merchant, Edinburgh.
Bom 23d January 1865.
MACLAEEN, WILLIAM ALEXANDER 20th January 1875.
Apprentice to Thomas Spalding. — Son of Thomas Maclaren, S.S.C. B(mi 4th
May 1843. Died 9th April 1886. Mar. 20th March 1884, Sarah Louisa, younger
daughter of Benjamin Liddell of Press Castle, Berwickshire.
136 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
MACLAURIN, JOHN. 10th March 1825.
Apprentice to (1) Donald Maclean ; and (2) John and Walter Ferrier. — Youngest
son of John Maclaurin, residing at Lochfynehead. Born 1799. Died 20th May
1880. Mar. 22d December 1830, Grace, daughter of James Wylie of Airlywight,
Perthshire. Sheriff-Substitute at Inveraray, 1834-60. Author of a Digest of tlie
Sheriff's Small Debt Act for ScotUmd, 1838, and other works.
MACLEAN, ARCHIBALD. 17th November 1836.
Apprentice to, and son of, Donald Maclean, W.S. — Born 13th December 1810.
Died 24th September 1844, unmarried.
MACLEAN, DONALD, of Drimnin. 26th February 1796.
Apprentice to Colquhoun Grant. — Son of Allan Maclean of Drimnin, Argyllshire.
Born 15th January 1770. Died 16th March 1853. Mar. 24th April 1793,
Lilias, daughter of Colquhoun Grant, W.S. Solicitor to Court of Exchequer,
1822-37.
MACLEAN, FITZROY JEFFERIES GRAFTON. 4th December 1845.
Apprentice to John Maclaurin. — Son of Donald Maclean, W.S. Bmn 30th August
1813. Died 20th March 1858, unmarried.
M'LEAN, HECTOR FREDERICK. 22d May 1845.
Apprentice to Charles Cuningham and Carlyle Bell. — Third son of John M'liean
of Campbeltown. Born 9th November 1818. Mar. 1st June 1869, Marsali,
daughter of .^neas Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry.
MACLEAN, JOHN. 24th January 1687.
Apprentice to John M'Farlane. — Died April 1695.
MACLEHOSE, ANDREW CRAIG. 1st July 1808.
Apprentice to Robert Ainslie. — Son of James Maclehose, Attorney-at-Law at
Kingston, Jamaica. Born 1778. I>i?<^ 10th April 1839. ^ar. 2d October 1809,
Mary, eldest daughter of John Goodrum of Shropham, Norfolk.
MACLEOD, ALEXANDER. 15th September 1704.
Died June 1706. Mar. Margaret, eldest daughter of William Montgomery of
Macbiehill, Peeblesshire. Under-Keeper of the Signet, 1704-5.
MACLEOD, RODERICK. 7th March 1732.
Apprentice to (1) Ronald Campbell; and (2) John Buchanan. — Second son of
William Macleod of Luskinder, Invemess-shire. Died 26th June 1784. 3Iar. (1)
Isabel, only daughter of Hector Bannatyne of Karnes, Buteshire ; and (2) Marjory,
daughter of John Tayloi-, Writer in Edinburgh. Father of Sir William Macleod
Bannatyne, one of the Lords of Council and Session.
LtST OF MEMBEKS 13t
M'MILLAN, ALEXANDER, of Dunmore. 13th October 1726.
Apprentice to John Cunningham of Bandalloch.— I>ie(^ 26th July 1770. Mar.
(1) Margaret Campbell; and (2) Jane Campbell. Deputy-Keeper of the Signet,
1726-1742 and 1746-1770.
MACMILLAN, ALEXANDER. 19th June 1834.
Apprentice to Thomas Peat.— Son of Alexander Macmillan, Merchant in Campbel-
town. Bmi 28th June 1808. Died 30th June 1865. Mar. 5th July 1841, Basil
Hamilton, second daughter of Captain Henry Dundas Beatson, of H.M. Revenue
cruiser Swift.
MACMILLAN, ROBERT. 6th March 1810.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Son of William Macmillan, Writer in Newton-Douglas.
Barn 1779. Died 19th May 1831, unmarried.
MACMILLAN, THOMAS. 17th November 1816. '
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Son of Thomas Macmillan of Shorthope, Selkirk-
shire. Born 1789. Died 10th June 1838, unmarried.
MACNAB, JOHN, of Newton. 4th July 1783.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Eldest son of Archibald Macnab of Newton of
Balquhidder. Died 4th August 1801.
M'NEILL, ARCHIBALD. 18th June 1829.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Sym; and (2) John Maclaurin. — Son of John M'Neill
of Colonsay, Argyllshire. Bom September 1803. Died 2d June 1870. Mar.
18th July 1836, Christina Erskine, daughter of Major William Mitchell, of the
Royal Bengal Artillery. Director in Chancery, 1843-58. Principal Clerk of
Session, 6th July 1858 till death. Author of Notes cm tlie Authenticity of the
Poems of Ossian.
MACNEILL, EWEN CAMERON. 3d July 1828.
Apprentice to John and Alexander Smith. — Youngest son of Roderick Macneill
of Barra, Inverness-shire. Died 1847, aged 42, unmarried.
MACNEIL, HECTOR ARCHIBALD. 25th November 1830.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Son of Captain Archibald Macneil of the 75th
Regiment, and 3d Royal Veteran Battalion. Died 11th April 1875. Mar. 5th
July 1842, Louisa, daughter of James Sinclair of Forss, Caithness.
MACNEILLIE, DAVID. 4th July 1809.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair.— Son of John Macneillie, Marchiield, Castle-
Douglas. Born 15th July 1779. Died 11th April 1850. Mar. 24th May 1819,
Mary, daughter of John Falconer, Mains of Dalrulzian, Perthshire.
s
138 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
MACONOCHIE, ROBEET BLAIE, of Gattonside. 23d November 1837.
Apprentice to Alexander Monypenny. — Second son of Alexander Maconochie of
Meadowbank, Mid-Lothian, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Born
2l8t May 1814. Died 4th October 1883. Mar. 6th January 1846, Charlotte
Joanna, daughter of John Tod of Kirkhill, Mid-Lothian.
M'PHEESON, JOHN. 26th January 1671.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Son of Dougall M'Pherson of Powrie. Died
November 1675. Mar. 8th October 1671, Mary Bruce.
MACPHEESON, JOHN MOETON. 18th October 1876.
Apprentice to Thomas Jarron Gordon. — Son of Andrew Macpherson, Feuar at
Newmilns, Ayrshire. Bm-n 26th May 1845. Mar. 27th December 1878, Louisa,
youngest daughter of Joseph Davies, Kensington, London.
MACPHEESON, "WILLIAM. 16th February 1781.
Apprentice to Thomas Cockbura — Son of James Macpherson, Architect at Dean.
Died 9th May 1813, unmarried.
MACQUEEN, HUGH. 9th March 1814.
Apprentice to Coll Macdonald. — Second son of Donald Macqueen of Corrybrough,
Inverness-shire. Born 1791. Died 11th March 1836, unmarried.
MACEAE, ANDEEW MUEISON. 29th June 1826.
Apprentice to John Morison. — Son of William Gordon Macrae. Born 17th
August 1800. Died at Melbourne 24th July 1847. Mar. 25th September 1830,
Georgianna Huntly, daughter of Gordon, Gordon Castle, Banff.
MACEAE, COLIN GEOEGE, of Wellbank. 16th November 1871.
Apprentice to (1) John Anthony Macrae ; and (2) John Kennedy. — Son of John
Anthony Macrae, W.S. Bom 30th November 1844. Mar. 22d June 1877,
Flora Maitland, daughter of John Colquhoun, Author of Tlie Moor and Loch.
MACEAE, HOEATIO EOSS, of Clunes. 15th October 1873.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and John and C. B. Logan. — Son
of John Anthony Macrae, W.S. Born 5th July 1846. Mar. 27th March 1884,
Letitia May, fourth daughter of Sir William Maxwell of Cardoness, Bart.
MACEAE, JOHN ANTHONY, LL.D. 2d July 1835.
Apprentice to John Bowie and William B. Campbell. — Son of Colin Macrae of
Inverinate, Eoss-shire. Bom 1st February 1812. Died 23d May 1868. Mar.
15th July 1841, Joanna Isabella, youngest daughter of John Maclean of Carriacou,
Grenada.
M'EITCHIE, THOMAS ELDER, of Craigton and Denork. 4th March 1824.
Apprentice to (1) James Little ; and (2) John Murray. — Eldest son of John
M'Eitchie of Denork, Fifeshire. Born 1800. Died 29th December 1878,
unmarried. .,.,Vi ./(tjialinUCl k> aijuriii ,i^ui:;- j-iii-i ni ,<,iei'^'
LIST OF MEMBERS 189
MACTAGGART, SCIPIO ALEXANDER. 19th November 1835.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of Daniel Mactaggart,
Writer in Campbeltown. Barn 15th March 1812. Died 25th June 1886. Mar.
4th November 1851, Katherine, daughter of Colonel Hook, Ceylon Rifles.
Sherifi"-Clerk of Argyllshire, 1837-86.
MACTAVISH, DUGALD. 9th March 1813.
Apprentice to (1) James Ferrier; and (2) John Ferrier. — Eldest son of Lachlan
Mactavish of Dunardry. Bm-n 1780. Died 1855. Mar. 30th April 1810,
Letitia, only daughter of the Rev. William Lockhart, D.D., Glasgow. Sheriff-
Substitute at Campbeltown, 1823-48.
MAITLAND, AUGUSTUS. 16th December 1824.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Craig.— Third son of Sir Alexander Charles
Gibson Maitland of Clifton Hall, Bart., Mid-Lothian. Bom 27th March 1800.
Died 26th January 1855. Mar. 1st June 1843, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of the
Rev. William Page Richards, D.D. ■•
MAITLAND, GEORGE RAMSAY. 18th July 1849.
Apprentice to Augustus Maitland. — Second son of Alexander Gibson Maitland,
yr. of Clifton Hall, Advocate. Barn 19th January 1821. Died 24th June 1866.
Mar. 19th September 1848, Alice Anne, eldest daughter of Josiah Nisbet, of the
East India Company's Service.
MAITLAND, KEITH RAMSAY. 20th October 1890.
Apprentice to T. D. Brodie. — Son of Colonel Keith Ramsay Maitland, 79th High-
landers. Born 13th October 1865.
MANNERS, ALEXANDER. ; ir. ;x^ 16th November 1819.
Apprentice to, and son of, Thomas Manners, W.S. — Died 1856, aged 61. Mar.
15th May 1820, Barbara, eldest daughter of Stewart Murray Fullerton of that Ilk.
MANNERS, THOMAS. 14th July 1789.
Apprentice to John Tait.— Son of Alexander Manners, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 8th September 1826. Mar. 18th August 1791, Juliana, daughter of
Archibald Hope. Depute-Clerk of Session, 29th November 1814 till death.
MANSON, ANDREW. 27th September 1630.
Apprentice to Robert Lauder.
MANSON, THOMAS. 17th March 1797.
Apprentice to David Campbell. — Son of John Manson, Merchant, Tain. Died
21st July 1815. Mar.
MARJORIBANKS, ANDREW, of that Ilk. :- . . r loth December 1702.
Apprentice to James Hay of Carriber. — Eldest son of Thomas Marjoribanks of
that Ilk. Died 13th April 1742. Mar. 1700, Christian, daughter of James Hay
of Carriber, Linlithgowshire. Commissary of Edinburgh.
140 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
MAEJORIBANKS, ANDREW, of that Ilk. 20th March 1739.
Apprentice to Archibald Campbell. — Eldest son of Andrew Marjoribanks of that
Ilk, W.S. Died 20th February 1766. Mar. (1) 1744, Mary Chalmers ; and (2)
February 1755, Jean, daughter of Thomas Boyes, Depute-Clerk of Session.
MARSHALL, ARCHIBALD. 2d June 1663.
Apprentice to Hugh Paterson. — Mar. Barbara Hamilton.
MARSHALL, JAMES. 29th June 1759.
Apprentice to David Spens. — Eldest son of John Marshall, "Writer in Strathaven.
Born 1731. Died 23d May 1807. Mar. April 1761, Janet, daughter of David
Spens, W.S. Fiscal, 1796-1807.
MARSHALL, JOHN. 7th July 1680.
Apprentice to Andrew Aikman. — Mar. Marion Morton.
MARSHALL, ROBERT. 6th December 1799.
Apprentice to James Walker. — Eldest son of Robert Marshall, Merchant in
Glasgow. Died 27th September 1823. Mar. 29th October 1819, Jane Cochran,
" late wife" of Captain Shirley.
MARSHALL, ROBERT DOWLING C ALDER. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to Colin G. Macrae. — Son of John Dalrymple Marshall, Edinburgh.
Bam 25th August 1866.
MARSHALL, THOMAS ROGER. 5th October 1873.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton and George T. Kinnear. — Son of John
Marshall, M.D. Bmi 26th June 1849.
MARSHALL, WILLIAM, of Callander. 1st July 1830.
Apprentice to Robert Macmillan. — Son of William Marshall, Merchant in Edin-
burgh ; and Agnes, sister and co-heiress of George Hunter of Callander. Bwn
4th April 1806. Died 18th November 1851. Mar. 29th July 1845, Isabella,
eldest daughter of Hugh Auld, Cashier of the Commercial Bank of Scotland.
MARSHALL, WILLIAM HUNTER, of Callander. - 15th July 1874.
Apprentice to Patrick Blair.— Eldest son of William Marshall of Callander, W.S.
Bcyrn 6th June 1846.
MARTIN, FRANCIS JOHN. 19th April 1876.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Martin, W.S. — Bom 19th March 1853. Mar.
14th April 1886, Jessie Agnes Helen, eldest daughter of Robert Barclay, Glasgow.
MARTIN, JOHN. 6th March 1834.
Apprentice to Charles James Fox Orr. — Son of Francis Martin of Davieland,
Dean of the Faculty of Procurators in Paisley. Born 23d July 1811. Mar. 22d
October 1850, Mary, eldest daughter of Charles James Fox Orr of Thomly Park,
Renfrewshire, W.S. Principal Clerk of Session, 1880.
LIST OF MEMBERS ^'"'^ 141
MARTIN, WILLIAM ALEXANDER. 21st May 1806.
Apprentice to Archibald Swinton. — Eldest son of Peter Martin, Cabinet-Maker in
Edinburgh. Barn 1780. Died 26th September 1828. Mar. 3d October 1806,
Margaret, daughter of John Davie of G-avieside.
MARWICK, DAVID WILLIAM, LL.B. 13th July 1885.
Apprentice to Peter Gardner. — Son of Sir James David Mar wick, LL.D.,
Town-Clerk of Glasgow. Bmi 4th July 1860.
MASTERTON, CHARLES, of Parkmill. Febraary 1709.
Apprentice to Charles Row. — Eldest son of Francis Masterton of Parkmill, Clack-
mannanshire. Died about 1747. Mar. Mary, daughter of John Kiery of Gogar,
Perthshire. Substitute-Keeper, 1708-9 and 1713-14.
MATHESON, ALEXANDER. 14th July 1879.
Apprentice to James Barker Duncan. — Third surviving son of Alexander
Matheson, Merchant in Edinburgh. Bom 15th March 1855.
MAULE, DAVID. 27th September 1714.
Sixth son of John Maule, son of George Maule of Cairncorthie. Died 20th
January 1744. Substitute-Keeper and Clerk, 1713-14.
MAULE, HARRY. 4th April 1707.
Apprentice to Robert Innes. — Third son of John Maule, son of George Maule of
Cairncorthie. Died 4th December 1734. Mar. September 1705, Margaret,
daughter of Major John Neilson. Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 1713-14.
MAULE, JAMES. 10th March 1789.
Apprentice to William Leslie. — Son of John Maule, Writer in Stonehaven. Died
nth April 1805.
MAWER, WALTER.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Son of William Mawer. Mar. Margaret
Hervie. ^ ^m.
MAXWELL, .GEORGE. 3d June 1824.
Apprentice to Alexander Hunter. — Son of George Maxwell, Prior's Lynn,
Dumfriesshire. Bwn 1797. Died 10th December 1879. Mar. 16th April 1857,
Jane, daughter of Andrew Wishart, Contractor.
MAXWELL, HAMILTON. 14th April 1884.
Apprentice to J. R. M'L. Wedderburn and G. G. Watson. — Younger son of
Colonel James Maxwell, C.B., of the 1st West India Regiment. Born 6th January
1861.
MAXWELL, JOHN HERRIES, of Munches. 27th November 1807.
Apprentice to Hugh Corrie. — Eldest son of Wellwood Maxwell of Barncleugh,
Kirkcudbrightshire. Born 1783. Died 1st March 1843. Mar. 1813, Clementina,
daughter of William Maxwell, East Blackshaw, Caerlaverock. "'" "'
14« THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET
MAXWELL, PATRICK. 14th September 1631. .4
Apprentice to Andrew Nimmo.
MEGGET, THOMAS. 6th December 1804.
Apprentice to James Buchan. — Son of John Megget, Tanner in Edinburgh. Died
19th February 1864, aged 82. Mar. 4th August 1810, Jane Bell, daughter of the
Rev, Thomas Murray, Minister of Channelkirk.
MEIK, HENRY HUNTER. 13th July 1885.
J Apprentice to James Hope and John Kirk. — Son of Thomas Meik, Civil Engineer,
Edinburgh. Bam 13th August 1860.
MEIK, JOHN, OF FoRTissAT. 9th March 1791.
Apprentice to James Home. — Eldest son of William Meik of Fortissat, Lanark-
shire. Died 20th January 1845, aged 76, unmarried.
MEIKLEJOHN, JOHN. 7th June 1821. '
Apprentice to Richard Hotchkis and James Tytler. — Only son of William Meikle-
john, Torrie. Bom 1786. Died 29th April 1851. Mar. (1) 18th November 1822,
Catherine, youngest daughter of Alexander M'Callum, Plewlands ; and (2) Marian
Hutton. Fiscal to Lyon Court, 1837-51.
MEIN, JOHN. 19th March 1723.
.'. Apprentice to Patrick Pitcairn. Z'ie^^ 3d January 1729. A
MELDRUM, DAVID BAYNE. 26th January 1854.
Apprentice to J. M. Melville, J. F. Walker Drummond, and James Lindesay.
— Eldest son of Alexander Meldrum of Easter Kincaple, Fifeshire, Advocate.
.(! Bom 7th August 1829.
'MELVILLE, ARCHIBALD. 30th May 1844.
Apprentice to John Glassford Hopkirk. — Son of Robert Melville, residing in
Falkirk. Born 2d September 1804. Died 21st March 1884. Mar. 14th May
1875, Margaret Watson.
MELVILLE, DANIEL.
Died June 1651. Ma/r. 26th December 1615, Beatrix Edmonstone.
MELVILLE, JAMES MONCRIEFF, of Hanley. 15th May 1817.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of Dr. Thomas Moncrieflf Melville, Physician
in St. Andrews. Born 28th September 1793. Died 28th September 1872. Mar.
(1) 19th August 1832, Augusta, youngest daughter of Vice-Admiral Lechmere, of
Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire; and (2) 18th October 1839, Margaret, third daughter
of David Aytoun Lindsay of Wormiston, Fifeshire.
MELVILLE, SiK JOHN, Knight. 6th December 1827.
Apprentice to Alexander Manners. — Son of George Melville, residing at Newing-
ton, Edinburgh. Bam 1803. Died 5th May 1860. Mar. 19th June 1838, Jane,
daughter of William Marshall, Edinburgh. Lord Provost of Edinburgh, 1854-59.
Knighted, 1859. Crown Agent, 1860.
LIST OF MEMBEES im
MENTEATH, ALEXANDER STEUART. ' • 10th July 1834.
Apprentice to John Donaldson. — Son of Sir Charles Granville Steuart Menteath,
Bart, of Closeburn, Dumfriesshire. £m-n 10th March 1809. Died 11th August
1885. Mar. 5th August 1841, Harriet, youngest daughter of Major-General
Patrick Agnew of Lochnaw, and Authoress of several poems.
MENZIES, ALAN LOCKHART. 13th April 1886.
Apprentice to Ralph and W. J. Dundas, and G. M. Paul. — Son of William John
Menzies, W.S. Bm-n 2d April 1861. Mar. 10th June 1890, Katherine Helen,
youngest daughter of Henry Bruce of Ederline.
MENZIES, ALEXANDER, of Chesthill. 25th June 1770.
Apprentice to Robert Menzies. — Eldest son of John Menzies in Culivulin, Ran-
noch. Died suddenly, 9th June 1804. Mar. 5th November 1772, Eleanor
Hamilton, daughter of James Menzies of Culdares, Perthshire. Principal Clerk
of Session, 10th December 1778 till death.
MENZIES, ALLAN. 17th December 1829.
Apprentice to Richard Mackenzie and William Sharpe. — Son of the Rev. William
Menzies, Minister of Lanark. Born 1805. Died 13th February 1856. Mar. 2d
August 1833, Helen, daughter of Alexander Cowan, Moray House, Edinburgh.
Professor of Conveyancing in the University of Edinburgh, 1847-56. Author of
Conveyancing according to the Law of Scotland, 1856, and other legal works.
MENZIES, ARCHIBALD. 7th August 1661.., ,
Apprentice to John Semple. .sifPL-)/. J-s
MENZIES, CHARLES, dF Kinmxjndy. 15th March 1697.
Apprentice to William Dykes. — Died August 1764.
MENZIES, JAMES. 4th December 1685.
Apprentice to Andrew Young. — Mar. Christian Scott.
MENZIES, JAMES, of Pitnacree. 11th June 1829.
Apprentice to John Forman.— Eldest son of Archibald Menzies of Pitnacree,
Perthshire. Died 3d April 1849, aged 42. Mar. July 1833, Maria Elizabeth,
eldest daughter of Edward Menzies of Paradise Pen, Kingston, Jamaica.
MENZIES, ROBERT, of Culteralleks. 3d August 1742.
Apprentice to James Baillie. — Eldest son of John Menzies, M.D. Died 28th
August 1769. Mar. December 1749, Mai-garet, daughter of the Rev. John
Thomson, Minister of West Liberton.
MENZIES, ROBERT, of Bolfracks. 23d November 1795.
Apprentice to John Graeme. — Eldest son of Robert Menzies, Chamberlain to
Sir John Menzies of that Ilk. Died 22d January 1838, aged 72, unmarried.
Depute-Clerk of Session, 19th January 1802 till death. .. „,,<^ ,tu, ,, ,^,,
'l*! THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
MENZIES, WILLIAM, of Raw. 6th August 1675.
Apprentice to William Chieslie. — Son of Captain William Menzies of Castlehill,
Lanarkshire. Died 2d September 1721. Joint Fiscal, 1702-3.
MENZIES, WILLIAM JOHN. 25th November 1858.
Apprentice to (1) Allan Menzies; and (2) John Dundas and William Wilson. —
^'' ' Son of Allan Menzies, W.S. Bm-n 14th October 1834. Mar. (1) 12th July 1859,
Helen, daughter of Alexander Adie and widow of James Marshall of Callander ;
(2) 28th July 1870, Ellen, youngest daughter of William Young and widow of
William Tweedie; and (3) 14th October 1879, Annie Percival, eldest daughter of
''"•' Captain J. A. Drought, Whigsborough, Bang's County, and widow of T. S. Jones,
of the National Bank of India, Bombay.
MERCER, HUGH SMITH. 25th June 1790.
Apprentice to John Innes. — Son of Alexander Mercer, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 15th October 1803. Mar. (1) Euphemia, daughter of Archibald Nisbet of
Carphin; (2) 16th January 1792, Magdalene Wilson of Blackleymill.
MERCER, ROBERT, or Scotsbank. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to William Scott. — Son of James Mercer of Scotsbank, Selkirkshire,
Writer in Edinburgh. Born 1796. Died 3d November 1875. Mar. 27th October
1825, Elizabeth Scott, daughter of William Scott Moncrieff of Fossoway, Perthshire.
MERCER, WILLLAM. 21st December 1820.
Apprentice to Robert Ainslie. — Son of Hugh Smith Mercer, W.S. Died 24th
rv>)f February 1853. Mar. 22nd October 1821, Catherine, eldest daughter of Robert
Maxwell, Paisley.
METHUEN, JAMES. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to Alexander Paterson Purves. — Eldest son of James Methuen,
Merchant, Leith. Bam 22d May 1862.
MILLER, ALEXANDER 6th December 1827.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of James Miller, Merchant in Leith. Born
1605. Died 26th July 1864. Mar. (1) 11th April 1828, Margaret, daughter of
James Cornwall, Commissioner of Excise; and (2) 10th January 1850, Alex-
andrina Thompson.
MILLER, ANDREW. 5th July 1814.
Apprentice to (1) Richard Lake; (2) John Campbell. — Son of James Miller,
Glover in Edinburgh. Died 27th January 1831. Mar. Grace Hogg. Depute-
Clerk of the Bills, 1801-31.
MILLER, ARCHIBALD.
Signs the Acts 1594.
LIST or MEMBEKS 145
MILLER, ARCHIBALD, of Glenavon. 9fch March 1791.
Apprentice to Laurence Hill. — Sou of John Miller, Advocate, Professor of Law
in the University of Glasgow. Died 21st February 1823.
MILLER, CHARLES HAGART. 24th November 1831.
Apprentice to (1) David Ramsay; and (2) John Donaldson. — Youngest son of
James Miller of Milton. Bmi 16th September 1806. Died 4th January 1846,
unmarried.
MILLER, CUTHBERT.
Died 31st October 1631. Mar. 7th February 1622, Margaret Loyes.
MILLER, GEORGE ANDERSON. 18th October 1876.
Apprentice to J. M. Lindsay, Alexander Howe, and William Macgillivray. — Son of
James Dick Miller, Solicitor in Perth. Bom 20th September 1853. Mm: 21st
June 1888, Margaret Barclay, elder daughter of Isaac Wallace, M.D., Perth.
MILLER, HUGH. 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to Sir J. Gillespie and Thomas Paterson. — Son of John Miller,
Glenluce. Bm-n 23d June 1867.
MILLER, JOHN ALEXANDER STEVENSON. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Son of John Miller, Edinburgh. Born 20th
October 1854. Mm. 10th September 1878, Dora, second daughter of Thomas
Shillinglaw, Chief Clerk, Crown Office, Edinburgh.
MILLER, JOHN CHARLES STRETTELL. 18th January 1886.
Apprentice to Hugh Auld and James Macdonald. — Son of Captain John Miller of
the P. and 0. Service. Born 22d February 1858. Mar. 5th June 1890, Anna
Eliza, elder daughter of William Dent Robinson of Temple Sowerby, Westmoreland.
MILLER, JOHN. 18th July 1634.
Apprentice to Robert Kirkwod. — Died 1645.
MILLER, JOHN, of Stewartfield. 4th March 1816.
Apprentice to Hugh Warrender. — Third son of Sir William Miller of Glenlee,
Bart. Bm-n 28th December 1789. Died 24th September 1863. Mar. 15th March
1828, Mary, eldest daughter of Nicolas Sutherland.
MILLER, ROBERT SCHAW. 16th January 1888.
Apprentice to Charles Morton and John Neilson. — Son of Robert Schaw Miller,
sometime residing in Alloa, afterwards in Montreal, Canada. Bwn 3d March
1863. Mar. 29th August 1889, Jane Caroline, only daughter of Alexander
Grant, Hamilton.
MILLER, WILLIAM, of Glenlee and Barskimming. 15th July 1719.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace of Holmston.— Second son of Mathew Miller of
Glenlee, Kirkcudbrightshire. Died 16th September 1753. Mar. Janet, eldest
daughter of Thomas Hamilton. Father of Sir Thomas Miller, Lord President.
. ^\ .: I J.
T
14« THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
MILLIE, JOHN. 27th February 1823.
Apprentice to John Forman. — Youngest son of John Millie of Bridgend. Died
1849, aged 54, unmarried.
MILLIGAN, JOHN. 25th March 1869.
Apprentice to Alexander Forsyth Adam.— Son of James Milligan, S.S.C, Assis-
tant Clerk and Extractor of the Signet. Bm-n 13th October 1846. Mar. 8th
September 1880, Mary, eldest surviving daughter of Alexander Waugh, Solicitor,
Newton-Stewart. Assistant Clerk and Extractor, 1876-85. Substitute-Keeper of
the Signet, 19th August 1885.
MILN, ALEXANDER HAY, of Woodhill. 10th June 1841.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Eldest son of James Miln of Woodhill. B(mi
19th July 1817. Died 5th Febfuary 1877. Mar. 15th September 1859, Sarah
Isabella, eldest daughter of James Mackintosh of Lamancha, Peeblesshire.
MILN, CHARLES. 4th January 1699.
Apprentice to William Dykes. — Died 4th May 1750. Mar. January 1736, Helen,
daughter of Alexander Nisbet, Farmer, Oldhamstocks.
MILN, ARCHIBALD, of Chapeltown. 21st June 1787.
Apprentice to LachlanDuif. — Elder son of Alexander Milne of Chapeltown, Elgin-
shire. Died 2d October 1812.
MILNES, KEITH. 28th January 1799.
Apprentice to George Robinson. — Eldest son of the Rev. James Milnes, Minister
of Sandwich, Kent. Died 21st Augiist 1857.
MILROY, ANDREW. 21st December 1832.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Eldest son of Andrew Milroy, Jeweller in Edin-
burgh. Bwn 6th May 1803. Died 25th July 1867. Mar. 1st November 1842,
Susannah, second daughter of Joseph Nixon, Edinburgh. Manager of the Bank
of British North America at St. John's, Newfoundland.
MIRTLE, JOHN, of Gracemount. 25th June 1829.
Apprentice to Charles and Andrew Tawse. — Eldest son of William Mirtle at Boon,
Berwickshire. Bom 1803. Died 9th February 1835, unmarried.
MITCHELL, ALEXANDER, of Craigend. 3d March 1712.
Apprentice to Charles Bell. — Son of John Mitchell of Craigend, Stirlingshire.
Barn about 1678. Died December 1738. Mar. 24th April 1713, Alison, daughter
of Alexander Livingstone of Parkhall, Stirlingshire.
MITCHELL, ALEXANDER. 16th July 1858.
Apprentice to Graham Binny. — Son of Alexander Mitchell of the Exchequer,
Edinburgh. Born August 1833.
LIST OF MEMBERS 147
MITCHELL, DAVID. 11th December 1810.
Apprentice to John Graeme. — Son of Thomas Mitchell, Tailor ou the estate of
Airlie. Diefi 1st August 1815.
MITCHELL, JAMES LAIDLAW. 7th July 1820.
Apprentice to James Laidlaw. — Son of John Mitchell, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 18th October 1852, aged 62, unmarried.
MITCHELL, JOSEPH. 26th May 1825.
Apprentice to William Eraser. — Son of Joseph Mitchell, Farmer at Whitestanes,
Dumfriesshire. Died 22d April 1858, aged 56, unmarried.
MITCHELL, WILLIAM. 28th October 1889.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of William Mitchell, S.S.C. Born 16th
July 1863.
MITCHELSON, SAMUEL. 12th March 1736.
Apprentice to Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan. — Third son of John
Mitchelson of Middleton, Mid-Lothian, Advocate. Died 21st January 1788.
Mar. October 1753, Jean, daughter of John Oliver of Dinleybyre, Roxburgh-
shire. Fiscal, 1754-55; Treasurer, 1755-88.
MITCHELSON, SAMUEL, of Clermiston. 16th December 1760.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Son of James Mitchelson, Jeweller in Edin-
burgh. Died 8th December 1793. Mar. March 1763, Katherine, daughter of
Alexander Birnie of Broomhall, Lanarkshire. Princii)al Clerk of Session, 16th
June 1789, till death.
MOIR, JOHN, OF HiLLFOOT. 20th June 1769.
Apprentice to David Campbell. — Only son of James Moir, Writer in Stirling.
Died November 1802. Mar. Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Daniel Macqueen,
Minister of St. Giles', Edinburgh.
MOIR, JOHN, OF HiLLFOOT. 17th March 1797.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Moir, W.S. — Born 1769. Died through bursting
a blood-vessel, 22d December 1804. Mar. Mary Bell Gray.
MOIR, ROBERT. 17th May 1799.
Apprentice to David Balfour. — Fourth son of John Moir, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Born 1769. Died 17th August 1805.
MOLLE OR MOW, WILLIAM, of Mains. 7th March 1788.
Apprentice to Thomas Cockbum. — Second son of John Mow of Mains, Berwick-
shire. Born 1765. Died 20th March 1840. Mar. Agnes Adam, niece of William
Preston of Gorten. Assumed name of Molle, 1789. , , .
il8 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
MONCREIFF, HENRY. 8th June 1804.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Third son of Rev. Sir Henry MoncreifF Well-
wood, Bart., of TuUibole, Kinross-shire. Died 16th April 1817. Mar. 31st July
1809, Charlotte, daughter of Hugh James Paterson Eollo of Bannockbum.
MONCREIFF, Hon. JAMES WILLIAM. 30th March 1871.
Apprentice to John M. Lindsay and Alexander Howe. — Third son of the Right
Hon. James, Baron Moncreiff of Tullibole, Lord Justice-Clerk. Born 16th Sep-
tember 1845. Mar. 19th March 1872, Mary Lillias, eldest daughter of George
Mitchell Innes of Bangour, Linlithgowshire. Substitute-Keeper of the Signet,
1876-1885.
MONCREIFF, JOHN, OF MoENEPE A. 11th December 1690.
Apprentice to John Bayne of Pitcarlie. — Died July 1 697. Mar. Jean Leslie.
MONCRIEFF, ALEXANDER. 11th July 1837.
Apprentice to John Ker and Henry G. Dickson. — Eldest son of Robert Hope
Moncrieff, Writer in Perth. Born 15th June 1815. Died 15th March 1886.
Mar. 15th November 1843, Euphemia Dick, daughter of General Cunningham of
Newton, Perthshire.
MONCRIEFF, DAVID SCOTT. 16th December 1854.
Apprentice to John Gibson, Junr. — Fourth son of Robert Scott Moncrieff of Fosso-
way, Perthshire. Born 13th June 1829. Mar. (1) 8th August 1860, Elizabeth,
daughter of Robert Sym Wilson, W.S., a brother of Professor John Wilson ; and
(2) 22d October 1872, Margaret Fisher, daughter of George William Campbell,
M.D., of Peaton, Dumbartonshire, Professor of Surgery, Makgill College, Montreal.
MONCRIEFF, ROBERT HOPE. 14th March 1872.
Apprentice to Thomas Graham Murray. — Son of Alexander Moncrieff, W.S.
Barn 23d November 1849. Mar. 12th October 1886, Margaret, daughter of Rev.
John Anderson, D.D., Minister of KinnouU.
MONCRIEFF, ROBERT SCOTT. 15th July 1886. '
Apprentice to D. S. Moncrieff and John A. Trail. — Son of David Scott Moncrieff,
W.S. B<m 11th April 1862.
MONILAWS, ALEXANDER GEORGE. 14th November 1851. '•
Apprentice to Alexander and Christopher Douglas. — Eldest son of the Rev. James
Monilaws, Minister of Annan. Bom Ist April 1828. Died 15th February 1858,
unmarried. . ^
MONRO, DAVID, OF Allan. 18th July 1731.
Apprentice to John Steuart. — Son of David Monro of Allan, Ross-shire. Died
6th December 1767, unmarried. , >
LIST OF MEMBEES 149
MONRO, HECTOR. 26th May 1864.
Apprentice to George Greig. — Son of James Monro, Writer in Kinross. Born
21st March 1839. Mar. June 1873, Isabella Simpson, widow of Robert Baird of
Limerigg.
MONRO, HUGH. 20th NOTember 1671.
Apprentice to James Peter. — Died before 1692.
MONRO, JOHN. 29th December 1683.
Apprentice to (1) James Carnegie; and (2) Alexander Ord. — Mar. (1) 18th
April 1672, Margaret Clunas; and (2) Susan Leirmont.
MONTGOMERIE, JOHN, of Wrae. 23d December 1687.
Apprentice to John Muir. — Fifth son of George Montgomerie of Broomlands.
Died nth March 1725, aged 62. Mar. (1) 2d February 1689, Penelope Barclay ;
and (2) September 1696, Janet, daughter of Thomas Gray, Merchant, Edinburgh.
M.P. Linlithgowshire, 1704-7.
MONTGOMERY, WILLIAM. 10th March 1806.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair. — Second son of William Montgomery, Wigmaker
in Edinburgh. Died 22d September 1809.
MONTGOMERY, WILLIAM. 19th February 1852.
Apprentice to Walter Jollie. — Third son of Robert Montgomery, Barrister-at-Law,
residing in Edinburgh. Born 20th March 1822. Died 2d March 1888. Mar.
21st August 1860, Elizabeth Maxwell, daughter of Colin Macechran of Oatfield,
Argyllshire. Clerk to the Admission of Notaries, 1869-88.
MONYPENNY, ALEXANDER. 18th May 1801.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie. — Fourth son of Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander
Monypenny of Pitmilly, Fifeshire. Bm-n 23d March 1778. Died 15th June
1844. Depute-Clerk to Admission of Notaries, 1814-32.
MOODIE, STUART. 28th June 1787.
Apprentice to William Dick. — Son of John Moodie, Merchant in London. Di£d
7th April 1827. Admitted Advocate 26th January 1793.
MORE, GEORGE.
See Gordon, George More.
MORESONE, HENRY. 16th August 1671.
Apprentice to James Allan. — Eldest son of John Moresone, Merchant Burgess,
Edinburgh. Died 1674. Mar. Agnes Wilkie.
MORISON, JOHN, of Hetland. 14th June 1791.
Apprentice to John Taylor. — Son of Andrew Morison, Writer in Edinburgh.
Bom 1769. Dixd 5th May 1837. Mar. 20th August 1796, Jane, daughter
of Robert Farquhar of Newhall.
160 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
MORRISON, NAESMYTH. 16th June 1818.
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Son of David Morrison, Major in the Service of
the Hon. East India Company. Died at Hyderabad 10th December 1846, aged
53, unmarried. Afterwards Captain H.E.I.C.S.
MORTHLAND, MATTHEW, of Rindmuir. 30th June 1741.
Apprentice to William Miller. — Son of Charles Morthland, Professor of Oriental
Languages in the University of Glasgow. Died 15th October 1787, aged 74.
MORTON, CHARLES. 8th July 1828.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Eldest son of Samuel Morton, Agricultural Imple-
ment Maker, Edinburgh. Born 21st January 1806. Mar. 7th August 1834,
Isabella, daughter of James Harvey, Grandholm, Aberdeen. Crown Agent, June
and July 1866, 1868-74, 1880-83.
MORTON, WILLIAM. 18th October 1886.
Apprentice to Henry Cairns. — Son of Alexander Morton, Banker, Edinburgh.
Bwn 14th September 1851. Mar. 2d July 1889, Jessie, daughter of Thomas
Struthers, Edinburgh.
MOSMAN, HUGH. 15th July 1885.
Apprentice to F. Pitman, A. B. Macallan, J. R. Anderson, and W. H. Murray.
— Son of Hugh Mosman of Auchtyfardle, Lanarkshire. Bom 27th October 1860.
MOBSMAN, RICHARD.
Mentioned 1st August 1633.
MOUNSEY, JOHN LITTLE. 8th October 1883.
Apprentice to Thomas Dawson Brodie. — Son of Archibald Campbell Mounsey,
Rector of the Grammar School, Jedburgh. Bom 30th October 1852. Mar. 21st
June 1881, Margaret, eldest daughter of John Jackson, of Solway Bank, Annan.
MOWAT, JAMES, of Fawside.
Mar. 29th October 1611, Margaret RoUock.
MOWBRAY, JOHN, of Harwood. 30th November 1792.
Apprentice to William Campbell of Crawfordton. — Second son of Robert Mow-
bray, Merchant in Edinburgh. Born 1768. Died 19th September 1838. Mar.
(1) 7th April 1801, Elizabeth, daughter of John Scougall, Merchant in Leith; and
(2) 26th June 1807, Patricia Hodge of Awalls.
MOWBRAY, JOHN THOMSON, LL.D. 8th March 1832.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of Robert Mowbray, Merchant in Leith.
Born 12th May 1808. Treasurer, 1882. Author of An Analysis of the Convey-
ancing (Scotland) Act, 1874, and other legal works.
MOYSIE, DAVID.
Suspended, until he shall obtain a proper admission, 22d November 1609.
Probably Author of Memoirs published by Bannatyne Club. •• • ■
LIST OF MEMBERS I61i
MUDIE, JOHN.
Mentioned 1630. Died 1648. Mar. Marion Riddell.
MUIE, ANDREW GRAY. 12th July 1887.
Apprentice to Thomas Jarron Gordon. — Son of George Watson Muir, Kirkhouse,
Traquair. Born 27th January 1865.
MUIR, GEORGE, of Cassencarrie. 7th January 1756.
Apprentice to John Davidson of Stewartfield. — Son of William Muir of Cassen-
carrie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Died 3d September 1783. Mar. 20th April 1762,
Margaret, daughter of Alexander Mackenzie of Delvine, Perthshire. Principal
Clerk of Justiciary.
MUIR, JOHN.
See Chalmeb, John Muib.
MUIRHEAD, CHARLES HERRIES, of Logan. 23d June 1807.
Apprentice to Alexander Young of Harbum. — Son of the Rev. James Muirhead,
D.D., Minister of Urr. Died 6th February 1823.
MUIRHEAD, DAVID.
Signs Minute, 1606. Died January 1614.
MUNDELL, ALEXANDER. 8th July 1790.
Apprentice to Laurence Hill. — Son of Robert Mundell, Painter in Edinburgh.
Born 1769. Died 19th March 1837. Mar. Susanna, second daughter of Samuel
Champneys of Bradmire, Hertfordshire.
MURDOCH, ARCHIBALD BURN. 18th July 1861.
Apprentice to Thomas Graham Murray. — Son of John Burn Murdoch of Gartin- '
caber, Perthshire. Born 10th December 1836. Mar. 4th November 1874,
Mary Harriet Burn, only daughter of William Bum Callander of Prestonhall,
Mid-Lothian.
MURDOCH, JAMES FERGUSSON. 12th November 1835.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie Lindsay. — Eldest son of Alexander Murdoch,
Procurator-Fiscal of Ayrshire. Born 5th November 1812. Died 6th October
1874. Mar. 24th August 1841, Ann Cuninghame, daughter of Rev. Robert
Douglas, Minister of Kilbarchan. Procurator-Fiscal of Ayrshire, 30th January
1843.
MURE, JOHN, OF Nether Scheills. 11th April 1661.
Apprentice to Alexander Douglas. — Died 2d February 1686. Mar. Catherine
Mowbray.
MURRAY, ANDREW. 13th February 1845.
Apprentice to George Dalziel. — Son of Patrick Murray, Writer in Glasgow.
Bom nth October 1823. Died 23d August 1869. Mar. 8th June 1849, Mina
.!aa.Jw Maria, third daughter of James Balfour, Edinburgh. Crown Agent, 1860-66,
152 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
MUEEAY, ANDKEW, op Conland. 15th June 1837.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Murray of Conland, W.S.—Bom 19th
Febraary 1812. Died 11th January 1878. Mar. 4th September 1858, Jane
Rogers. '*"
MUEEAY, ANTHONY, of Dollerie. 26th May 1825.
Apprentice to (1) Hay Donaldson ; and (2) John Gibson, Jun. — Eldest son of
Anthony Murray, of Dollerie, Perthshire. Born 1802. Died 16th September
1884. Mar. 19th October 1829, Georgina, daughter of Sir Patrick Murray of
Ochtertyre, Bart.
MUEEAY, DAVID. 3d July 1792.
Apprentice to Robert Trotter. — Son of David Murray, D.C.S., Writer in
Edinburgh. Died 4th March 1845.
MUEEAY, GEOEGE JOHN. 18th December 1856.
Apprentice to Andrew Murray, Jun. — Son of William Murray, Banker in Tain.
Born 13th September 1832. Died 1869, unmarried.
MUEEAY, HENEY MONTAGUE SCOTT. 22d June 1826.
Apprentice to William Young Herries. — Third son of John Murray of Tunder-
garth, Dumfriesshire. Died 1844, aged 41, unmarried.
MUEEAY, JAMES. 1st February 1630.
Apprentice to Eobert Alexander. — Died 2d March 1632.
MUEEAY, JAMES CHAELES. 25th May 1848.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of David Murray, Comptroller of Excise for
Scotland, afterwards Accountant in Edinburgh. Born 17th January 1816. Died
22d January 1878, unmarried.
MUEEAY, JAMES THOMAS. 1st July 1822.
Apprentice to David Murray. — Son of James Murray, Solicitor-at-Law. Born
1800. Died 22d January 1857. Mar. 21st July 1829, Mary, daughter of
William Goddard, Merchant, Leith.
MUEEAY, JOHN. 2l8t May 1806.
Apprentice to John Dundas. — Eldest son of William Murray, Agent for the
Church. Barn 1782. Died 13th September 1836. Mar. 24th August 1818,
Ann Jane, youngest daughter of James Borland, Glasgow. Agent for the Church.
MUEEAY, JOHN, of Wooplaw. 23d June 1853.
Apprentice to John Scott and Sir John Gillespie. — Eldest son of Andrew Murray,
Junior, Advocate. Born 28th July 1829. Mar. 25th February 1867, Elizabeth,
daughter of William Eobertson.
MUEEAY, PATEICK. 23d January 1703.
Died 1st May 1728. Mar. 2d June 1709, Jean, daughter of Alexander Simson,
Litster, Edinburgh, widow of John Prophet, Wine Merchant at Holyroodhouse.
LIST OF MEMBERS 159
MURRAY, PATRICK. 15th October 1873.
Apprentice to (1) Andrew Murray, Jun. ; and (2) Donald Beith. — Son of Andrew
Murray, Jun., W.S. Bwn 29th May 1850. Mar. 5th July 1877, Agnes Evelyn,
youngest daughter of Rev. John Congreve, Rector of Tooting Graveney, Surrey.
MURRAY, ROBERT. 21st October 1673.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Eldest son of John Murray, Merchant
Burgess of Edinburgh, i'/^ii Deceinber 1676. Jf an Marion Pollock.
MURRAY, THOMAS GRAHAM, of Stenton, LL.D. 22d November 1838.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis and Robert Ellis. — Son of Andrew Murray of
Murrayshall, Perthshire, Advocate. Born 24th November 1816. 3Iar. 19th
December 1848, Caroline, daughter of John Tod of Kirkhill. Crown Agent,
1866-G8.
MURRAY, THOMAS MIDDLETON. 20th October 1884.
Apprentice to D. Beith, A. Forrester, P. Murray, and R. D. Beith. — Second son
of Kenneth Murray of Geanies, Ross-shire. Bm-ii 27th March 1860. Mar. 8th
June 1887, Caroline, daughter of Walter Ross Macdonald, Barrister, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada.
MURRAY, WILLIAM. 12th January 1706.
Apprentice to Alexander Glass. — Died 1758.
MURRAY, WILLIAM, of Coniand. 23d February 1816.
Apprentice to Thomas Megget. — Son of Andrew Murray of Coniand, Fifeshire.
Born 1793. Died 25th October 1848. Mar.
MURRAY, WILLIAM CLEGHORN. 17th November 1864.
Apprentice to John Anthony Macrae. — Only son of John Murray, S.S.C. Born
4th October 1837.
MURRAY, WILLIAM HUGH. 14th November 1872.
Apprentice to Frederick Pitman. — Son of William Murray, S.S.C. Bom 5th
March 1850.
MYLNE, JAMES. 20th February 1834.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Son of George Mylne, Manager of Edinburgh
Life Assurance Company. Born 25th March 1807. Died 3d December 1879.
Mar. 16th July 1839, Emelia Elizabeth, second daughter of William Roberts,
Banker, Glasgow.
MYLNE, JAMES. 29th June 1871.
Apprentice to John M. Lindsay and Alexander Howe. — Third son of James
Mylne, W.S. Born, 8th April 1846. Mar. 5th November 1877, Jane Ramsay,
second daughter of William Ramsay Kermack, W.S.
164 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
MYLNE, JOHN MILLAR. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Son of James Mylne, Professor of Moral Philo-
sophy in the University of Glasgow. Died 30th January 1880. Mar. 28th
January 1843, Margaret, daughter of Dr. John Thomson.
NAIRNE, CHARLES. 29th May 1819. •/.
Apprentice to James Naime, his brother. — Youngest son of the Rev. James
Nairne of Claremont, D.D., Minister of Pittenweem. Born 23d December 1794.
Died 20th January 1837. Mar. 20th September 1820, Amelia Forbes, daughter
of the Rev. Andrew Bell of Kilduncan, Minister of Crail.
NAIRNE, JAMES, of Clakemont. 8th June 1804.
Apprentice to Edward Bruce. — Second son of the Rev. James Nairne of Claremont,
D.D., Minister of Pittenweem. Born 29th August 1782. Died 20th October 1847.
Mar. 9th April 1807, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Dr. John Hill of Brownhills,
Fifeshire, Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh. Fiscal, 1824-44.
NAIRNE, JAMES. 16th November 1843.
Apprentice to James Nairne. — Eldest son of Charles Nairne, W.S. Born 8th
August 1821. Died 26th March 1866, unmarried. Secretary of North British
Railway, 1852-66.
NAPIER, ALEXANDER JOHN. 8th July 1847.
Apprentice to (1) Richard Campbell ; and (2) John Mackenzie Lindsay. —
Youngest son of George Napier of Dales, Linlithgowshire, S.S.C. Born 7th
November 1824. Mar. 18th October 1867, Elizabeth Isabella, daughter of David
Stevenson, C.E., Edinburgh.
NAPIER, FRANCIS. 10th July 1794.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Eldest son of the Hon. Mark Napier, Colonel,
32nd Foot. Bcn-n 20th August 1770. Died 11th June 1818. Mar. 30th March
1796, Mary Elizabeth Jane Douglas, eldest daughter of Colonel Archibald
Hamilton of Innerwick, Haddingtonshire. Collector of Widows' Fund, 1805-18.
NAPIER, MACVEY. 6th December 1799.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Annfield. — Eldest son of John Macvey of Braes,
Dumbartonshire. Born 12th April 1776. Died 11th February 1847. Librarian
to the Society, 9th December 1805 to 21st June 1837. Professor of Convey-
ancing, 1816-47. Principal Clerk of Session, 12th May 1837 till death. Editor
of Edinburgh Beview, 1829, and of the Encyclopcedia Britannica (seventh edition).
Author of Lm'd Bacon and Sir Walter Baleigh, 1853, and other works.
NAPIER, WILLIAM. 4th March 1824.
Apprentice to (1) Francis Napier; and (2) David Cleghorn. — Eldest son of
George Napior of Dales, Linlithgowshire, S.S.C. B(ym 1801. Died 17th June
1849. Mar. 28th April 1828, Mary, eldest daughter of Alexander Low, Aberdeen.
•rnT LIST OF MEMBEES 155
NASMYTH, MICHAEL. 19th December 1767.
Apprentice to James Hay of Cocklaw. — Only son of Bailie Michael Nasmyth,
Schoolmaster in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. Died November 1777.
NEAVES, WILLIAM. 7th March 1833.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Son of Charles Neaves, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born 15th February 1810. Died at Demerara 18th December 1841, unmarried.
NEILL, ROBERT. 4th December 1655.
Mar. 25th January 1644, Isobel Measlet. Died before 1667.
NEILSON, JOHN. 18th November 1861.
Apprentice to George Greig. — Eldest son of Alexander Neilson, Writer in Port-
Glasgow. Born 19th November 1836. Mar. 1st August 1867, Elizabeth
Maxton, youngest daughter of John Barr Gumming of Lloyd's, Greenock
NEILSON, STUART. 21st November 1850.
Apprentice to John Irving. — Son of James Neilson of Millbank. Born 10th
December 1809. Died 10th May 1886, unmarried.
NEILSON, WILLIAM. 12th December 1627.
Servitor to Thomas Cutts. Admitted in his place. Mar. Marion Cunyngham.
NEISCHE, WALTER, of Westeu Dubheads,
Son of Walter Neische of Wester Dubheads; retoured heir to his father 13th
December 1637.
NEWALL, MARTIN.
Died about 1629.
NEWBIGGING, JOHN STEUART. 26th June 1832.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of Sir William Newbiggiug, Surgeon in
Edinburgh. Born 20th January 1809. Died 25th October 1849. Mar. 30th June
1840, Elizabeth, daughter of James Flemyng, Killiechassie, Perthshire. Sheriff-
Clerk of Roxburghshire, 1841-49.
NEWLANDIS, ROBERT.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
NEWTON, JAMES, of Castlandhill. 23d November 1819.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait.— Eldest son of James Newton, Baker in Edinburgh.
Died 18th June 1861, aged 65, unmarried.
NEWTON, WILLIAM WARING HAY, of Newton. 24th May 1821.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie. — Second son of William Hay Newton of
Newton, Mid-Lothiaa Born 20th September 1795. Died 15th May 1860. Mar.
(1) 19th June 1821, Jane Frances, only child of Thomas Gregson of Blackburn ;
and (2) 15th February 1844, Jane, daughter of James Clerk Rattray of Craighall,
Perthshire, Advocate. ^^„j ,,.....„. „i,.., ;,.<.,,. .^^ •: ,^;^:i
166 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
NIBLIE, ARCHIBALD. 5th August 1777.
Apprentice to Walter Ross. — Son of Archibald Niblie, Tenant in Elphinstone.
Dkd 21st March 1779. Mar. October 1776, Margaret, only daughter of John
Rannie of Myles.
NICOLL, HENRY. 3d January 1683.
Apprentice to James Chcyne. — Died December 1704. Mar. Christian Leishman.
NICOLL, JOHN. 19th November 1609.
Apprentice to David Anderson. — Died February 1668. Mai: 21st October 1606,
Bessie Thomson. Clerk to Society, 1647-54. His Diary of Ihihlic Transactions
(1650-67) published by Bannatyne Club. Re-admitted 21st November 1661.
NICOLL, JOHN. 13th April 1650.
Son of John NicoU, AV.S. Died before 1685.
NICOLSON, ROBERT.
Died about 1628.
NIMMO, ANDREW.
Signs the Acts, 26th December 1627. Died 27th September 1647.
NIMMO, JOHN. 8th March 1802.
Apprentice to H. M'D. Buchanan. — Eldest son of Peter Nimmo, Brewer in
Edinburgh. Died 1812. Mar. Margaret Nimmo.
NISBET, ARCHIBALD, of Carfin. 16th July 1661.
Apprentice to Robert Hamilton. — Son of James Nisbet of Ladytoun. Died July
1695. Mar. (1) Euphan Scroggie ; and (2) Jean Biiillie.
NISBET, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES, of Stobshiel. 21st October 1874.
Apprentice to John Wardrobe Tawse, liis uncle. — Son of the Rev. Robert Nisbet,
D.D., Minister of West St. Giles, Edinburgh. Bom 31st August 1851.
NISBET, JOHN, of Nisbetfield. 26th July 1693.
Apprentice to Thomas Gordon. — Died 1716. Mar. Agnes Riddell, sister of
William Riddell, portioner of Bewlie, Roxburghshire.
NIVEN, ROBERT WILLIAM. 1st July 1819.
Apprentice to David Ramsay. — Eldest son of the Rev. Alexander Niven, Minister
of Dunkeld. Bom 1793. Died 1st December 1832. Mar. 11th March 1817,
only daughter of Robert Brown, Westmoreland, Jamaica.
NORIE, HENRY HAY. 9th February 1860.
Apprentice to Walter JoUie. — Son of Evelyn Thomas Francis None, Commander,
RN., residing in Elgin. Bffrn 8th June 1837. Mar. 8th September 1864,
Christina, second daughter of James Moir, Banker, Alloa. Manager of Union
Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1881.
LIST OF MEMBEES 157
OGILL, GEORGE. 6tli March 1650.
OGILVY, DAVID. 26th June 1832.
Apprentice to Robert M'Millan. — Son of David Ogilvy, Painter in Edinburgh.
Brni 14th January 1805. Died I7th July 1871. Mar. 9th September 1841,
Elizabeth Aitchison, daughter of James Williamson of Trinity. Latterly a
Solicitor in Melbourne.
OGILVIE, ROBERT GAVIN. 20th November 1818.
Apprentice to Hugh Warrender. — Second sou of Adam Ogilvie of Hartwoodmyres,
Advocate. Bui-n 1793. Died 14th July 1879, unmarried.
OGILVIE, WILLIAM ALEXANDER. 19th July 1879.
Apprentice to Robert Burt Ranken. — Son of William Ogilvie, M.A., residing at
Dyke, near Forres. Burn 24th January 1851. Died 17th March 1884, unmarried.
OLIPHANT, .aiNEAS, of Balgonie. 4th April 1707.
Apprentice to James Menzies. — Died 23d February 1716.
OLIPHANT, CHARLES. 4th December 1794.
Apprentice to William Balderston. — Son of Charles Oliphant, Merchant in Edin-
burgh. Bmi 1771. Died 28th October 1852. Mar. 2d July 1830, Eleanor,
daughter of Sir James Campbell of Aberuchill, Bart., and widow of Dr. John
Barclay.
OLIPHANT, HARRY.
Mar. 11th August 1614, Sara Colvin.
OLIPHANT, LAURENCE. 23d February 1680.
Apprentice to William Lockhart. — Son of Laurence Oliphant of Orchardmilnc.
Diid September 1690. Mar. Margaret Hepburn. Clerk to the Admission of
Notaries.
OLIPHANT, ROBERT, of Rossie. 14th November 1833.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean. — Eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel James Stewart
Oliphant of Rossie, Perthshire. Born 23d February 1810. Died 14th November
1872. Mar. 20th March 1836, Susan Mary Elizabeth, only child of Thomas Tod,
Judge of the Commissary Court.
ORD, ALEXANDER. 4th June 1674.
Apprentice to Richard Guthrie.~Z>terf before 1695. Mar. 28th August 1679,
Agnes Gordon.
ORME, ALEXANDER, of Mugdrum. 3d February 1755.
Apprentice to Archibald Stuart, — Eldest son of Alexander Orme of Balvaird,
Writer in Edinburgh. Died 8th January 1789. Mar. Helen Sinclair. Principal
Clerk of Session, 14th November 1777 till death.
158 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
ORR, ALEXANDER, of Watkrside. 3d Februaiy 1755.
Apprentice to Robert Dalrymple. — Son of Mr. Alexander Orr, Minister of Hod-
dam. Died 27th November 1774. Mar. July 1761, Elizabeth, daughter of
Ludovick Cant of Thurston, East-Lothian.
ORR, CHARLES JAMES FOX, of Thornly Park. Uth June 1814.
Apprentice to Robert Hill. — Son of James Orr of Thornly Park, Renfrewshire.
Died 8th February 1849. Mar. 15th October 1816, Elizabeth, youngest daughter
of Robert Orr, Paisley.
ORR, PATRICK. 12th August 1799.
Apprentice to William Macfarlane. — Second son of Patrick Orr of Bridgeton,
Kincardineshire. Died 19th July 1848. Mar. 25th December 1814, Margaret
Caroline, second daughter of Major Martin Lindsay, younger of Kilconquhar,
Fifeshire. Sheriff-Clerk of Forfarshire, 1812-48.
OSBURN, HARRY.
Commissioner, 1G31. Died 22d May 1655. Mar. (2) Alison Flemyng.
OSWALD, ROGER. 7th June 1705.
Apprentice to Thomas Aikman. — Died 9th June 1629, aged 50. Mar. Helen
Sydserff.
OSWALD, WILLIAM.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
PAGAN, ROBERT OSBORNE. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to James H. Jameson. — Only son of George Hair Pagan, Sheriff-Clerk
of Fifeshire, Cupar. Born 17th October 1865. Mar. 9th October 1890, Emy,
eldest daughter of Professor Hill, Glasgow University.
PAIP, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594. Mar. 4th October 1598, Marion Hassinden.
PANTON, WILLIAM, of Blackhouse. 9th December 1672.
Apprentice to James Cheyne. — Son of James Panton of Blackhouse. Died before
1713. Mar. Helen Edgar.
PARKER, JOHN JAMES. 25th November 1852.
Apprentice to Richard and John Ord Mackenzie. — Fourth son of John Parker,
Principal Extractor in the Court of Session. Bom 1st October 1829. Mar. 31 st
July 1855, Hannah, only child of James Spittal, Edinburgh.
PATERSON, ADAM, of Whitelek. 12th November 1829.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Son of Adam Paterson, residing in Galashiels. Born
1st February 1799. Died 14th June 1876. Mar. 18th November 1835, Elizabeth,
fourth daughter of David Scott, Farmer at Northfield, Duddingstpn.
LIST OF MEMBERS 159
PATERSON, ARTHUR BOURNE. 10th January 18^7.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, Harry Cheyne, and John Kermack. — Son of
Robert Paterson of Birthwood, Lanarkshire. Born 29th October 1860.
PATERSON, HEW.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
PATERSON, Sir HUGH, of Bannockbubn, Bart. 10th April 1661.
Apprentice to Richard Guthrie. — Son of Hugh Paterson of Bannockbum, Stirling-
shire. Died 1696. Mar. 18th August 1654, Elizabeth Kerr. Keeper of the
Signet, 28th September 1682. Created a Baronet, 29th March 1686.
PATERSON, Sir HUGH, of Bannockburn, Bart. 29th September 1682.
Apprentice to and son of Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockburn, W.S. Died
December 1701. Mar. Barbara, daughter of Sir William Ruthven of Dunglas.
PATERSON, JAMES, of Whitelee. 12th November 1868.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and C. B. Logan. — Son of Adam
Paterson of Whitelee, Roxburghshire, W.S. Bom 1st April 1845. Died 7th
December 1888. Mar. (1) 17th April 1872, Mary Francis Hester, daughter of Sir
Edmund Samuel Hayes of Drumboe Castle, Donegal, Bart. ; and (2) 16th Novem-
ber 1882, Mary Georgina, youngest daughter of Thomas Hodgkinson of Elm
Leigh, Havant, Captain, Royal Navy.
PATERSON, JOSEPH. 23d May 1808.
Apprentice to George Robinson.— Youngest son of George Paterson, Merchant in
East Sheen, Surrey. Bom 1778. Di^ 16th February 1832, unmarried.
PATERSON, ROBERT.
See Wallace, Robert Paterson.
PATERSON, THOMAS. 14th July 1859.
Apprentice to Adam Paterson. — Son of John Paterson, Agent of the Royal Bank
at Dalkeith. Born 11th July 1834.
PATERSON, WALTER. 3d December 1632.
Apprentice to Anthony Whyte. — Son of Alexander Paterson, Apothecar-Burgess
of Edinburgh. Di^d February 1662. Mar. Anne Inglis. Readmitted 21st
November 1661.
PATERSON, WILLIAM. 8th March 1714.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Died 1716.
PATISON, JOHN. 10th July 1798.
Apprentice to Alexander Young of Harbum. — Son of John Patison, Town Clerk,
Leith. Born 1773. Di^ 9th May 1843. Mar. 6th February 1801, Ann Fergu-
son, daughter of Thomaa Hill, Architect, Edinburgh.
160 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
PATISON, JOHN. 21st December 1809.
Apprentice to Robert Boswell. — Eldest son of William Patison, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Born 1784. Died 22d June 1832. Mar. 14th March 1815, Eliza-
beth, eldest daughter of James Paterson, Merchant, Leith.
PATISON, JOHN. 12th November 1835. '
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas. — Son of John Patison, W.S. B<yrn 19th October
1807. Died 8th August 1871. Mar. 11th April 1856, Frances M., daughter of
William Marshall, R.N., Dunbar.
PATON, ROBERT. 17th January 1822.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Son of the Rev. John Paton, Minister of Lasswade.
Born 2d January 1795. Died 25th January 1884. Mar. 26th September 1832,
Isabella, only daughter of Thomas Phipps, London. Procurator-Fiscal for Selkirk
Burgh.
PATON, VICTOR ALBERT NOEL. 12th July 1887.
Apprentice to James A. Jamieson, George Dalziel, James Craik, and John
Wharton Tod. — Son of Sir Joseph Noel Paton, Kt., H.M. Limner for Scotland.
Bm-n 29th December 1862.
PATOUN, WILLIAM, of Panhole. 16th September 1681.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Resigned his Commission 2d February 1711.
Died January 1715. Mar. Ann Gay.
PATRICK, WILLIAM, of Roughwood. 28th June 1793.
Apprentice to David Steuart. — Third son of John Patrick of Freeborn, Ayrshire.
Died 28th February 1861, aged 91, unmarried.
PATTEN, HUGH, 30th May 1878.
Apprentice to (1) John Patten ; and (2) John Cook. — Fourth son of John Patten,
W.S. Bffi-n 7th July 1855.
PATTEN, JOHN. 29th June 1827.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Fifth son of James Patten, Cashier of the Greenock
Bank Company. Born 13th May 1805. Died 9th March 1877. Mar. 24th
April 1848, Jane Maxwell Campbell, daughter of Dugald MacDougall of Galla-
nach, Argyllshire.
PATTEN, JOHN. 16th July 1873.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Patten, W.S. — Born 2d October 1850.
Mar. 7th October 1880, Helen Isabel, daughter of James Johnston Grieve, M.P.
for Greenock.
PATTISON, JAMES. 29th November 1820.
Apprentice to Peter Couper. — Son of the Rev. James Pattison, Thornhill. Bori-n
1794. Died 24th June 1832. Mar. 16th June 1829, Isobella, youngest daughter
of John Cockburn, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBERS 161
PATTISON, WILLIAM RALPH. 18th March 1869.
Apprentice to George Maclachlan. — Son of George Handasyde Pattison, Advocate.
Bom 12th July 1837. Died 26th March 1872, unmarried.
PATTON, JAMES MURRAY, of Glenalmond. 8th February 1816.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Cathcart; and (2) James Dundas. — Son of James
Patton, Sheriif-Clerk of Perthshire. Bmn 1792. Died 25th December 1853.
Sheriff-Clerk of Perthshire, 1817-53.
PATTON, THOMAS, of Glenalmond. 6th March 1817.
Apprentice to Alexander Young.— Son of James Patton, Sheriff-Clerk of Perth-
shire. Died 28th August 1866, aged 77, unmarried.
PAUL, GEORGE MORISON. 21st November 1867.
Apprentice to John Dundas, William Wilson, and Alexander Montgomerie Bell. —
Son of the Rev. William Paul, D.D., Minister of Banchory-Devenick. Bffrn 18th
August 1839. Mar. 28th August 1872, Mary, third daughter of Alexander John
Kinloch of Park, Aberdeenshire.
PAUL, ROBERT. 10th July 1812.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Son of John Paul, Shoemaker and Trades Bailie
in Glasgow. Bm-n 1774. Died 30th January 1866. Mar. 5th August 1811,
Catherine, daughter of David Geddes, Deputy Auditor of Excise.
PAUL, THOMSON. 1st July 1828.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Son of Andrew Paul, Brewer in Linlithgow.
Born 1796. Died 12th November 1876, unmarried.
PEARSON, ALEXANDER. 2d December 1794.
Apprentice to James Ferrier. — Second son of Adam Pearson, Secretary of Excise
for Scotland. Bwn 10th March 1770. Died 9th December 1853. Mar. 16th
February 1826, Catherine, daughter of David Paterson, Banker, Edinburgh.
PEARSON, ALEXANDER. 11th July 1837.
Apprentice to David Cleghorn. — Youngest son of David Pearson, Principal Clerk
in the Excise Office, Edinburgh. Bam 23d April 1811. Z>i«<f 20th April 1857.
Mar. 6th February 1856, Alexandrina, daughter of John Mackenzie, Edinburgh.
PEARSON, ANDREW ADAM, of Luck. 14th November 1851.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson and William Robertson. — Elder son of Alex-
ander Pearson, W.S. Bm-n 30th May 1827. Died 19th July 1861. Mar. 19th
April 1855, Octavia, daughter of Alexander Gillespie of Sunnyside, Lanarkshire.
PEARSON, DALZIEL. 7th June 1872.
Apprentice to John Brown Innes. — Youngest son of Charles Pearson, President of
the Society of Chartered Accountants, Edinburgh. Bmn 21st January 1848.
IW THE SOCIETY OF WRITEKS TO THE SIGNET
PEARSON, DAVID ALEXANDER. 30th November 1850.
Apprentice to, and younger son of, Alexander Pearson, W.S. — B<n-n 15th
December 1828. Mar. 4th December 1860, Elizabeth Abercromby, only child of
Alexander Gibbon of Johnston, Kincardineshire.
PEAT, THOMAS. 7th July 1795. '
Apprentice to Robert Brown. — Son of John Peat, Writer in Edinburgh. Born
1772. Died 26th July 1836. Mar. Hannah Broughton.
PEDDIE, ALEXANDER.
See Waddell, Alexander Peddik
PEDDIE, JAMES. 30th November 1819.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Eldest son of the Rev. James Peddie, Minister of
the Associate Burgher Congregation, Bristo Street, Edinburgh. Born 1798. Died
5th September 1885. Mar. 23d August 1821, Margaret, daughter of the Rev.
John Dick, D.D., Glasgow.
PEDIE, JAMES. 6th July 1813.
Apprentice to James Grant of Bumhall. — Only son of William Pedie of Mains of
Dollar. Died 16th July 1844, aged 60, unmarried.
PETER, JAMES, of Chapel. 7th March 1664.
Apprentice to William Hunter, James Cheyne, and Walter Henderson. — Son of
David Peter, Commissary of Peebles. Died February 1691. Mar. 11th March
1670, Agnes, daughter of Mr. William Rigg, Minister of Inverarity.
PETER, JOHN.
Sign the Acts 7th December 1612. Mar. 19th October 1609, Janet Myles.
Commissary of Peebles.
PHILIPS, JOHN. 16th January 1800.
Apprentice to John Macnab. — Son of John Philips, Merchant in Glasgow. Died
11th November 1836. Mar. Euphemia Brown.
PHILIPS, JOHN. 10th March 1842.
Apprentice to John Kermack. — Son of John Philips, residing in Edinburgh.
Bam 23d November 1801. Died 2d August 1873. Mar. 7th January 1834,
Annie Gordon, youngest daughter of Robert Richard Maitland, Edinburgh.
PITCAIRN, ALEXANDER. 14th August 1714.
Son of David Pitcaim of Dreghom, Mid-Lothian. Resigned his Commission
October 1745. Mar. Margaret Deans.
PITCAIRN, ALEXANDER YOUNG. 5th December 1861.
Apprentice to Robert Haldane. — Only surviving son of the Rev. Thomas Pitcairn,
Free Church Minister at Cockpen. Bom 5th April 1837. Mar. 18th August
1863, Helen, daughter of John Wyld, Banker, Glasgow.
LIST OF MEMBERS 16S
PITCAIRN, ARCHIBALD. 3d August 1723.
Apprentice to Alexander Pitcairn.
PITCAIRN, PATRICK, of Dreghorn. 10th November 1704.
Eldest son of David Pitcairn of Dreghorn, Mid-Lothian. Died February 1734.
PITCAIRN, ROBERT. 21st November 1815.
Apprentice to William Patrick. — Second son of Robert Pitcairn, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Bom 1793. Z>te<f suddenly 11th July 1855. ilfar. 4th September 1839,
Hester Hine, daughter of Henry Hunt, Merchant, London. Author of Ancient
Ciiminal Trials in Scotland, 1829-33, and other works.
PITCAIRN, WILLIAM FETTES. 15th November 1827.
Apprentice to (1) George Veitch ; and (2) Matthew N. Macdonald Hume. — Son of
Alexander Pitcairn, Merchant in Edinburgh. Born 14th October 1803. Mar.
29th March 1831, Agnes Campbell, daughter of John Osburn Brown, W.S.
PITMAN, ARCHIBALD ROBERT CRAUFURD. 19th April 1881.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Frederick Pitman, W.S. — Born 7th October 1858.
PITMAN, FREDERICK. 4th June 1857.
Apprentice to John Anderson, his uncle. — Eldest son of Major-General Robert
Pitman of the Hon. East India Company's Service. Born Nth September 1832.
Mar. 17th November 1857, Anna Sitwell, eldest daughter of John Tait, advocate.
Sheriff of Clackmannan and Kinross.
PITMAN, FREDERICK ISLAY. 29th October 1888.
Apprentice to F. Pitman, J. R. Anderson, W. H. Murray, and A. C. R. Pitman.
—Son of Frederick Pitman, W.S. Born 18th April 1863. Mar. 2d July 1890,
Helen Isabel, younger daughter of James Auldjo Jamieson, W.S.
PITMAN, JOHN SITWELL. 19th October 1885.
Apprentice to F. Pitman, A. B. Macallan, J. R. Anderson, and W. H. Murray.
—Second son of Frederick Pitman, W.S. Born 27th June 1860. Mar. 15th
September 1888, Mabel, only daughter of Captain E. T. Parsons, RN.
PLENDERLEITH, JOHN. 6th July 1691.
Apprentice to John Frank. — Died May 1728. Mar. Margaret Douglas, relict of
John Hunter, Merchant, Edinburgh.
POLLEXFEN, JOHN RIDDOCH, of Cairston. 10th March 1836.
Apprentice to William Stewart. — Son of Thomas Pollexfen of Cairston, Orkney.
Bmn 22d October 1811. Died 18th November 1878, unmarried.
POLLOK, JOHN, OF Logiegreen. 16th June 1807.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Fifth son of Allan Pollok, Merchant in Glasgow.
Died at Vancieville, Virginia, U.S.A., 28th April 1817. "' ''^
164 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
PONTON, MUNGO. 8th December 1825.
Apprentice to (1) James Balfour ; and (2) WDliam Scott and G. L. Finlay. — Only
son of John Ponton, Farmer at Balgreen. Boi-n 23d November 1802. Died 3d
August 1880. Mar. (1) 24th June 1830, Helen Scott, youngest daughter of
Archibald Campbell, Edinburgh ; (2) 1843, Margaret, daughter of Alexander
Ponton, Procurator-Fiscal, Edinburgh ; and (3) 1st August 1871, Jane, eldest
surviving daughter of Dougald M'Lean, Merchant, Edinburgh.
PORTEOUS, JOHN, of Spittlehaugh. 20th May 1800.
Apprentice to James Walker. — Only son of Robert Porteous of Carmacoup,
Lanarkshire. Died 9th January 1812.
POTT, JAMES, OF PoTBURN. 20th November 1818.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie and William Inues. — Second son of Gideon Pott
of Dod, Roxburghshire. Born 1792. Died 6th November 1852. Mar. 27th
March 1839, Jane, daughter of Peter Brovrn of Rawflat, Roxburghshire.
PRESTON, ALEXANDER. 26th December 1773.
Apprentice to (1) George TurnbuU; and (2) Walter Scott. — Only son of the
Rev. George Preston, Minister of Markinch. Died 4th November 1775.
PRESTON, JAMES. 20th July 1731.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville. — Died March 1738.
PRESTON, WILLIAM. 3d December 1722.
Apprentice to Robert Hepburn. — Died May 1752. Mar. April 1740, Helen
Cumming, relict of William Carss of Tollcross. Resigned his Commission 31st
January 1750. Author oi A Poem to the Divine Majesty.
PRIMROSE, JAMES.
Second son of Archibald Primrose. Died 1641. Mar. (1) Sibylla Miller; and (2)
Katherine, daughter of Richard Lawson of Baghill. Commissioner, 18th October
1631. Clerk to the Privy Council, 1602. Clerk to Council of Prince's Revenue,
17th August 1623. Ancestor of Earls of Rosebery.
PRINGLE, FRANCIS. 26th February 1753.
Apprentice to James Pringle. — Youngest son of Sir Robert Pringle of Stichell,
Roxburghshire. Baptized 24th May 1729. Died 15th April 1760, unmarried.
PRINGLE, JAMES, of Bowl.4ND. 14th July 1735.
Apprentice to James Home. — Son of James Pringle of Torwoodlee, Selkirkshire.
Di^d 10th April 1776. Mar. 18th September 1749, Elizabeth, daughter of James
Nimmo, Receiver-General of Excise Duties for Scotland. Principal Clerk of
Session, 13th December 1748 till death.
PRINGLE, JOHN. 8th June 1741.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Thomas Pringle, W.S. — Di^ 18th September
1 784. Mar. Mary, sister of George Drummond of Blair-Drummond, Perthshire.
..►JKi)' LIST OF MEMBERS iJ^
PKINGLE, JOHN. 13th July 1811.
Apprentice to George Steuart. — Son of Dunbar Pringle, Mercliant in Edinburgh.
Died 1854, aged 69. Mar. 24th July 1815, Margai-et, daughter of Thomas
Wallace of Stockbridge. Sheriff-Substitute at Banff, 1821-54.
PRINGLE, ROBERT, of Bartingbush and Stichkll. -F
Commissioner, 26th December 1627. Second son of George Pringle of Newhall,
Selkirkshire. Died 1649. Mar. Katherine Hamilton, of the Silverton family.
M.P., Roxburghshire, 1639-41.
PRINGLE, ROBERT. 7th December 1655.
Son of Robert Pringle, W.S. Mar. Miss Kerr. Joint Fiscal, 1697-99.
PRINGLE, ROBERT, of Symington. 9th December 1830.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Only sou of Lieutenant-Colonel John Pringle of
Symington, Mid-Lothian. B(ym 1803. Died 21st April 1868. Mar. (1) 17th
June 1835, Maiy, eldest daughter of Major F. A. S. Knox, Royal Artillery ; and
(2) 15th October 1839, Eliza, eldest daughter of James M'Failane, Surgeon,
93d Regiment.
PRINGLE, ROBERT. 14th March 1872.
Apprentice to James Hope and Robert Mackay. — Son of Robert Pringle of
Symington, W.S. Barn 28th January 1845. Mar. 12th April 1870, Catlierine,
only daughter of Robert William Jamieson, W.S.
PRINGLE, ROBERT KEITH. 27th July 1881.
Apprentice to D. Scott Moncreiff, and J. P. Wood. — Son of Robert Keith Pringle
of Broadmeadows, Selkirkshire. Born 22d April 1854.
PRINGLE, THOMAS. 10th May 1693.
Apprentice to John M'Farlaue. — Fourth son of Sir Robert Pringle of Stichell,
Roxburghshire. Baptized 24th March 1667. Died before 1736. Mar. Rebecca
Hay. Treasurer, 1697-98, Clerk of Privy Council, 24th November 1702.
Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 1716-25. Father of Robert Pringle, Lord
Edgefield.
PROCTOR, ROBERT. 30th June 1801.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Son of Patrick Proctor, Writer at Glamis Castle,
* Forfarshire. Died 5th January 1823.
PURVES, ALEXANDER PATERSON. 22d January 1874.
Apprentice to William Forbes Skene.— Eldest son of William Brown Purves,
Physician and Surgeon in Edinburgh. Born 11th September 1840. Mar. 22d
December 1875, Sara Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Charles Turner, of the Royal
Nurseries, Slough, Windsor. ». ,^- , _,. „„ ,
166 THE SOCIETY OF 'WlllTERS TO THE SIGNET
PURVES, JAMES. 3d August 1742.
Apprentice to James Ramsay. — Second son of Sir William Purves of that Ilk,
Bart. Baptized 23d July 1709. Z'ied 8th June 1770. Resigned his Commission,
16th February 1769. Commissary-Depute of Lauder.
PURVES, WILLIAM. 20th October 1890.
Apprentice to A. Howe, W. Macgillivray, and A. Yeaman. — Son of Robert Purves,
Accountant, Glasgow. Bcnn 24th October 1862.
RAMAGE, ALEXANDER LISTON. 16th August 1799.
Apprentice to Robert Boswell. — Son of Alexander Ramage, Shoremaster of Leith.
Died 28th February 1815.
RAMSAY, DAVID, of Lethaine. 7th August 1695.
Apprentice to Andrew Young. — Died before 1736. Mar. (1) Jean Campbell; and
(2) 30th June 1699, Euphan, daughter of Michael Elphinstonc of Quarrel, Stirling-
shire. Treasurer, 1698-99.
RAMSAY, DAVID, of Grimmet. 6th March 1810.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Eldest son of the Rev. John Ramsay, Minister of
Kirkmichael, Ayrshire. Died 30th April 1828. Mar. 20th April 1814, Helen,
only daughter of John Shaw, of the Castle, Maybole.
RAMSAY, JAMES, of Auchtertyke. 25th February 1723.
Apprentice to Alexander Glass. — Brother of Robert Ramsay, Inspector of
Customs. Died of apoplexy 2d November 1748. Mar. March 1734, Ann,
daughter of Ralph Dundas of Manor, Perthshire.
RAMSAY, JAMES. 22d February 1793.
Apprentice to Walter Scott. — Son of James Ramsay, Architect in Edinburgh.
Died 28th October 1798.
RAMSAY, ROBERT. 23d May 1820.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Second son of William Ramsay, Banker in Edinburgh.
Died 19th November 1829.
RAMSAY, SIR WILLIAM, of B.4MFF, Bart. 19th July 1779.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Third sou of Sir James Ramsay of Bamfif,
Bart. Died 17th February 1807, aged 52. Mar. 5th August 1796, Agnata
Frances, daughter of John Hilton Biscoe, of Hookwood, Surrey. Succeeded his
brother as seventh Baronet on 16th April 1790.
RANKEN, WILLIAM BLACK, of Darngavil. 14th January 1889.
Apprentice to Alexander Wylie. — Son of Patrick Ranken of Cleddans and
Auchengray, Lanarkshire. Bmn 16th Februaiy 1866.
LIST OF MEMBERS 107
RANKEN, ROBERT BURT. 25th March 1869.
Apprentice to (1) Jolui Ord Mackenzie ; and (2) Frederick Pitman. — Son of
Thomas Ranken, S.S.C. Bom 24th February 1840. Mar. 30th June 1874, Mary
Witherington, daughter of Charles Tennant Dunlop, Merchant, Glasgow.
RANKIN, GEORGE, B.L. 28th October 1881.
Apprentice to T. G. Murray and J. A. Jamieson. — Son of the Rev. William
Thomson Rankin, Brechin. Born 15th July 1852. Mar. 13th April 1887, Annie
Cosens, second daughter of Robert Romanes, Solicitor in Lauder.
RANKINE, CHARLES SIMSON.
See SiMSON, Charles Simson Rankine.
RATTRAY, ROBERT, of Blackcraig. 12th November 1799.
Apprentice to Andrew Steuart. — Youngest son of James Rattray, residing at
Bridgeness. Born 1773. Died 6th May 1846. Mar. (1) 4th October 1805,
Rachel, daughter of Thomas Milne, Writer in Edinburgh; and (2) 16th July
1821, Dorothea, daughter of James Dagnier, Durham.
RAWSOUN, ROBERT.
Son of Mr. Alexander Rawsoun, Minister of Spynie. Died 1629. Mar. 29th
November 1626, Elspot Anderson. .!>-'! .-^ur^ni- a,
REDDIE, JAMES CAMPBELL. 10th December 1829.
Apprentice to David Cleghorn. — Son of James Reddie, Advocate. Born 1806.
Died 4th July 1878, unmarried.
REID, ALEXANDER.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594.
REID, CHARLES GREENSHIELDS, of Grangehill. 12th November 1840.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Son of Captain Charles Hope Reid of Grangehill,
Ayrshire, R.N. Bm-n 13th October 1814. Mar. 22d January 1850, Georgina,
daughter of John Jardine, Advocate, Sheriff of Ross and Cromarty.
REID, JAMES. 28th July 1882.
Apprentice to Archibald Steuart. — Son of Walter Reid, Drem, East Lothian.
Bom 19th March 1855. Mar. 5th January 1888, Kate, only daughter of William
Scott, Calcutta.
REID, ROBERT. 3d April 1749.
Apprentice to Robert Fullarton. — Son of Mr. William Reid, Minister of Steven-
ston. Died 10th March 1766. Mar. March 1746, Ann, daughter of James
Grant, Stationer, Edinburgh.
REID, SYLVESTER. 27th June 1822.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Son of James Reid, Office of Excise at Huntly.
Bom 1780. Died 8th May 1842. Mar. 8th July 1822, Georgina, daughter of
Alexander Kidd, Writer in Edinburgh. Accountant and Depute-Clerk of Teinds,
1818-39. Clerk, 1839-41.
168 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
EEID, WILLIAM. 27th November 1862.
Apprentice to Edmund Baxter. — Son of William Reid, Writer in Dundee. Born
28th October 1838. Died 8th September 1885. Mar. 23d May 1867, Elizabeth
Geddes, daughter of James Walker of Ravensby, Flax-spinner in Dundee.
RENNY, THOMAS.
See Strachan, Thomas Renny.
RENNY, WILLIAM, of Danevale Park. 16th May 1815.
Apprentice to George Robinson.— Third son of George Renny of Birkhill,
Kirkcudbrightshire. Bm-n 1788. Died 11th February 1846. Mar. 23d August
1819, Margaret, second daughter of John Napier of MoUance, Kirkcudbright-
shire. Solicitor for Inland Revenue.
RENNY, WILLLAM JOHN, of Danevale Park. 14th November 1844.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Renny, W.S. — Barn 4th December 1822.
Died 25th January 1879. Mar. (1) 19th July 1847, Julia Isobella, daughter of
Arthur John Robertson of Inshes, Inverness-shire ; and (2) 17th July 1873, Mar-
garet Forbes, daughter of John Angus, Advocate, and Town-Clerk of Aberdeen.
RENTON, JOHN. 16th January 1800.
Apprentice to John Home. — Eldest son of James Ronton, Merchant in Berwick.
Born 1774. Died 3d October 1838. Mar. 12th September 1803, Ann, second
daughter of the Rev. Matthew Murray, Minister of North Berwick.
RENTONE, GEORGE. 16th November 1702.
Apprentice to Alexander Home. — Died 17th December 1703, aged 29. Mar.
October 1697, Helen Douglas.
RHIND, WILLIAMSON. 16th November 1831.
Apprentice to (1) Francis Wilson ; and (2) Sir H. Jardine, G. T. Stodart, and
William Fraser. — Son of John Rhind, Cashier of the Edinburgh Friendly
Insurance Company. 7?orn 11th June 1809. i)!><? 22d April 1847, unmarried.
RICHARDSON, ANDREW. 29th June 1827.
Apprentice to (1) Hay Donaldson ; and (2) John Gibson, Jun. — Only son of Kerr
Richardson, Farmer in Ai-dgilzean, Perthshire. Bcrni 1804. Died 28th August
1885. Mar. (1) 16th March 1831, Jean Thomson, daughter of William Blair;
and (2) 28th March 1837, Charlotte, daughter of David Davidson, Salton Mains,
Haddington.
RICHARDSON, HENRY EDWARD. 13th July 1885.
Apprentice to J. A. Jamieson, J. W. Tod, and James Craik. — Son of Henry
Cockburn Richardson, of the Indian Civil Service. Born 28th June 1862.
RICHARDSON, JOHN. 19th June 1823.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Eldest son of William Richardson, residing in
Edinburgh. Born 1799. Di^ 17th December 1876. Mar. (1) L. G. H. Hay;
(2) 24th February 1857, Martha, daughter of Peter Trezevant, London. Sub-
stitute-Keeper, 1867-76. *^"
LIST OF MEMBEES 169
RICHAEDSON, JOHN, of Kirklands. 13th November 1827.
Apprentice to Thomas Scotland. — Son of George Richardson, Farmer in Gilmerton.
.Born 9th May 1780. i)je<? 4th October 1864. Jfar. 5th August 1811, Elizabeth,
daughter of Lawrence Hill, W.S.
RICHARDSON, RALPH. 12th November 1869.
Apprentice to George Maclachlan and William Ivory. — Son of James Richardson,
Merchant in Edinburgh. Bom 22d November 1845. Mar. 15th October 1879,
Melville Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Fleming, M.D., Deputy Surgeon-General,
Bengal Army. Commissary Clerk of Edinburgh, 1883.
RICHAEDSON, ROBERT. 18th December 1676.
Apprentice to Sir Hugh Paterson. — Died October 1699. Mar. 30th August 1678,
Margaret Law.
RICHARDSON, THOMAS. 25th May 1814.
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Only son of Robert Richardson, Secretary to the
British Linen Company. Died 18th June 1853, aged 64. Mar. 19th September
1818, Isabella, daughter of James Heggie, 3'ounger of Pitlessie, Fifeshire.
RIDDELL, Rev. HENRY SCOTT. 15th November 1811.
Apprentice to James Thomson.— Second son of Henry Riddell, Merchant in
Glasgow. Bffrn 23d May 1789. Died 15th April 1862. Mar. (1) 2d October
1818, Agnes, daughter of Archibald Gilchrist, Edinburgh; and (2) 29th November
1831, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Home of Stirkoke, Caithness.
Resigned his Commission 12th May 1825. Licensed by the Presbytery of
Selkirk 7th July 1829. Ordained Minister of Longformacus 6th September
1830. Translated to Dunse 6th October 1843.
RIDDELL, JOHN, of Granton. 20th March 1739.
Apprentice to Ronald Dunbar. — Eldest son of John Riddell, Physician in Edin-
burgh. Bmn 1713. Died 20th December 1745. Mar. April 1741, Christian,
daughter of Sir John Nisbet of Dean, Bart.
RIDDELL, JOHN RUGNIGALD, of Kinharvie. 10th July 1798.
Apprentice to William RiddelL — Second son of Robert Eiddell of Carzield,
Dumfriesshire. Difd 1849. Mar. March 1804, daughter of David Crawford of
Carronbank.
RIDDELL, THOMAS, Younger of Camieston. 19th November 1805.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, William Riddell, W.S. — Born 23d August 1777.
Died 18th April 1826. Mar. 31st January 1805, Jane, daughter of Walter
Ferrier of Glenferrier, Stirlingshire.
RIDDELL, WALTER, of Newhouse. '^'I'sth December 1708.
Apprentice to John Wilkie.— Died December 174:2. Mar. Jean Pringle.
Y
170 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
RIDDELL, WILLIAM, of Camieston. 3d July 1770."'
Apprentice to Thomas Cockburn. — Eldest son of Thomas Riddell of Camieston,
Roxburghshire. Bm-n 1746. DM 23d November 1829. Mar. 12th January 1776,
Elizabeth, only surviving daughter of John Carre of Cavers Carre, Roxburghshire.
RITCHIE, ALEXANDER. 12th March 1795. '
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Only son of Alexander Ritchie, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Bkd 15th March 1816.
RITCHIE, GEORGE. 2d July 1829.
Apprentice to John Ronton and Joseph Grant. — Fourth son of George Ritchie of
Hill of Ruthven, Perthshire. Born 1807. Died 30th November 1843. Mar. 8th
June 1841, Euphemia, only daughter of Andrew Sceales of Blackburn..
ROBERTON, WILLLAJVI. 22d December 1698.
Apprentice to William Stirling. — Youngest son of Archibald Roberton of Bedlay,
Lanarkshire. Died January 1757, unmarried.
ROBERTSON, ALEXANDER. 14th March 1744.
Apprentice to (1) Harry Maule ; and (2) David Maule. — Son of George Robertson,
Writer in Edinburgh. Died 22d January 1788. Mar. July 1764, Jean, third
daughter of James Hay of Pitfour, Perthshire. Principal Clerk of Session, 12th
June 1776 till death.
ROBERTSON, ALEXANDER LAMBIE. 18th November 1817.
Apprentice to (1) James Home; and (2) Patrick Wishart. — Third son of
Alexander Robertson of Prenderguest, Berwickshire. Born 11th June 1794. Died
22d December 1868. Mar. 16th August 1821, Katherine, daughter of John
Alison of Wellbank, Forfarshire.
ROBERTSON, ANDREW GIFFORD. 29th April 1881.
Apprentice to A. Hamilton, G. T. Kinnear, and R. Beatson. — Son of Andrew
Robertson, Edinburgh. Born 29th April 1855.
ROBERTSON, BARTHOLOMEW. 1st November 1658.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton.
ROBERTSON, FRANCIS JAMES. 14th April 1884.
Apprentice to Anthony Murray. — Third son of George Robertson of Hedderwick,
Forfarshire, C.E. Born 8th December 1858. Mar. 18th December 1884, Eliza-
beth, youngest daughter of Rev. John Caldwell Brown of Carbeth Guthrie, Minis-
ter of Ceres, Fifeshire.
ROBERTSON, GEORGE. 25th June 1819.
Apprentice to Archibald Hotchkis. — Died 24th September 1844, aged 51,
unmarried. Sheriff-Substitute at Portree, 1829-44. ••■ ■
jrj^jLlST OF MEMBERS ;,. 171
ROBEKTSON, GEORGE. ., ,■■ 18th November 1848.
Apprentice to William Robertson. — Son of William Robertson of the island of
.(„,. Malta. Bm-n 20th August 1820. Mar. 27th March 1856, Harriette Caroline
Emily, youngest daughter of William Macbean, Leghorn.
ROBERTSON, GEORGE BROWN. 24th June 1841.
Apprentice to Hugh Tod. — Son of George Robertson, Deputy-Keeper of the
Records. Born 10th January 1819. Died 26th November 1873. Mar. 14th
August 1867, Christina, daughter of William Rose, Sheriffston, Elginshire.
Deputy-Keeper of the Records, 1853-73.
•1
ROBERTSON, HUGH. 6th December 1791.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Second son of David Robertson of Loretto. Died
21st January 1800. Mar. 3d November 1795, Barbara, the second daughter of
■ ,j ; Alexander Hamilton of Gilkerscleugh, Lanarkshire.
ROBERTSON, JAMES.
See Barclay, James Robertson,
ROBERTSON, JAMES. 26th June 1789.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Eldest son of Patrick Robertson, Writer in
Glasgow. Died in Jamaica April 1794.
ROBERTSON, JAMES. 1st June 1795.
Apprentice to James Saunders. — Third son of Patrick Robertson, Schoolmaster
at Bellie, Banffshire. Died 15th April 1820. Mar. Mary Saunders.
ROBERTSON, JAMES. 1st June 1820.
Apprentice to James Little. — Youngest son of the Rev. Patrick Robertson, D.D.,
Minister of Eddleston. Died 25th June 1864, aged 69, unmarried. Crown Agent,
1858-59.
ROBERTSON, JAMES SAUNDERS. 10th March 1812.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Robertson, W.S. — Born 1763. Died
20th August 1856. Mar. 16th April 1816, Sarah, eldest daughter of Rev. Alex-
ander Weir of Boghead, Linlithgowshire.
ROBERTSON, JAMES STEWART-, of Edradynate. 12th November 1846.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson and William Robertson. — Son of James Stewarts
Robertson of Edradynate, Perthshire. Born 15th May 1823. Mar. 27th April
1852, Mary Jane Campbell, daughter of Robert Cuninghame of Bandalloch, Stir-
lingshire, and Ballanorris, Isle of Man.
ROBERTSON, JOHN, of Duncanziemuir. 11th July 1817.
Apprentice to James Robertson. — Son of Robert Robertson, Writer in Ayr.
Died 19th July 1859, aged 67, unmarried.
iW THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
ROBERTSON, JOHN ANDERSON. 25th May 1826.
Apprentice to James Saunders Robertson. — Fourth surviving son of James
Robertson, W.S. Bm-n 4th November 1802. Died 9th December 18&2. Mar.
13th September 1826, Isobella Eleanor, daughter of Captain Johnston, R.E., and
widow of James Errol Gray, Surgeon, Inverness.
ROBERTSON, JOHN LOGIE. 8th October 1883.
Apprentice to Alexander Wylie. — Son of William Robertson, Milnathort, Kiu-
ross-shire. Born 9th August 1859.
ROBERTSON, JOHN RONALDSON. 8th July 1831.
Apprentice to John Archibald Campbell. — Eldest son of Edward Robertson,
Secretary to the Commercial Banking Company. Born 22d May 1807. Died
11th May 1872, unmarried.
ROBERTSON, PATRICK 1st July 1791.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Eldest son of Patrick Robertson, Writer in Glas-
gow. Died 31st March 1795.
ROBERTSON, ROBERT. 13th July 1780.
Apprentice to David Erskine. — Second son of James Robertson Barclay of Keavil,
Fifeshire, W.S. Died 11th June 1784.
ROBERTSON, ROBERT JAMES. 31st May 1860.
Apprentice to James Robertson. — Sou of the Rev. Patrick Robertson, Minister
of Eddleston. Born 17th March 1834. Died 1st May 1867. Mar. 3d April
1861, Harriott Margaret, daughter of William Henry Holms of Mauor House,
Kilrea.
ROBERTSON, THOMAS ROBERT. 21st November 1820.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Annfield. — Sou of John Robertson, Wine
Merchant in Edinburgh. Born 1796. Died 25th August 1873. Mar. (1) 9th
June 1825, Helen, second daughter of John Elder, Depute-Clerk of Session;
and (2) 5th August 1839, Jane Maria Sophia, daughter of Alexander Smith of
Land, Dumfriesshire.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM. 11th December 1788.
Apprentice to George Cuming. — Youngest son of James Robertson Barclay of
Keavil, Fifeshire, W.S. Died 2d December 1839.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM. 26th November 1829.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Son of George Robertson Scott of Benholm,
Kincardineshire. Died 8th May 1850, aged 49, unmarried.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM PEMBERTON. 28th July 1882.
Apprentice to George Robertson and John Hope Finlay. — Son of George
Robertson, W.S. Born 25th July 1859. Mar. 18th December 1889, Augusta,
eldest daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Babington of Brooklands, Hampshire.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 173
ROBINSON, GEORGE, of Clermiston. 22d June 1784.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson.— Second sou of William Robinson, Merchant
in Banff. Died 6th May 1825. Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, 1815-25.
ROBISON, CHARLES KNO\VLES. 10th July 1812.
Apprentice to Richard Hotchkis. — Second son of John Robison, Professor of
Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Born 1781. Died at
Calcutta, April 1846. Mar. 8th July 1822, Elizabeth Carr. Magistrate of
Police, Calcutta.
ROBSON, CHARLES MACLAREN. 14th July 1890. ,
Apprentice to T. E. 0. Home, T. Horno, and D. Lyell. — Son of James Curie
Robson, Procui-ator-Fiscal of Berwickshire. Born 30th March 1863.
ROLLAND, ADAM, of Gask. 6th March 1787.
Apprentice to John Gordon. — Second son of the Rev. Robert RoUand, Minister of
Culross. Bmii 1763. Died 31st March 1837. Mar. 10th October 1796, Ann,
daughter of James Newbigging, residing at Whitehouse. Crown Agent, 1820-28.
Principal Clerk of Session from 26th November 1828 till death.
ROLLAND, ADAM, of Gask. 25th June 1824.
Apprentice to Sir Francis Walker Dnimmond. — Eldest son of Adam Rolland,
W. S. Born 5th July 1801. Died 1 8th October 1890. Mar. 5th September 1832,
Charlotte, daughter of Joliu Craigie of Quebec, and niece of Laurence Craigie of
Kilgraston, Perthshire.
ROLLAND, JAMES. 7th July 1829.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Adam Rolland, W.S. — Born 24th November
1802. Died 20th November 1889. Mar. 21st April 1840, Maria Rebecca, eldest
daughter of William Stothert of Cargen, Kirkcudbrightshire.
ROLLO, HUGH JAMES. lOtli March 1806.
Apprentice to Vans Hathorn. — Third son of Hugh James Paterson RoUo of
Bannockburn. Born ^th. Februaiy 1783. Drowned on board steamer Comet ot^
Gourock, 21st October 1825. Mar. 12th July 1813, Jane Hathorn, eldest
daughter of William Richardson of Keithock, Brechin.
ROLLO, HUGH JAMES. 20th May 1847.
Apprentice to John Richardson. — Son of Hugh James Rollo, W.S. Born 16tli
June 1818. Died 28th February 1890. Mar. (1) 30th November 1865, Mary,
daughter of Alexander Stuart of Inchbreck, Kincardineshire; and (2) 15th
January 1880, Mary Dealtry, daughter of Rev. John Hutton Pollexfen of Cairston,
Orkney, Vicar of Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire.
RONALD, DUNCAN. 22d June 1691.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Succoth. — Died August 1700. Mar. (1) Mag-
dalene Scott ; and (2) Ann Murray.
1T4 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEKS TO THE SIGNET
EORIE, JAMES. 16th July 1889.
Apprentice to W. T. Dickson, T. S. Maclaren, and W. Traquair, Junr. — Eldest
son of George Livingstone Rorie, Secretary, National Bank of Scotland, Edin-
burgh. Bm-n 27th December 1864.
EOS, WILLIAM. 29th June 1661.
Apprentice to Hew Rose. — -Fiscal, 1657-66. Died April 1668.
ROSE, HEW.
Fiscal 1627-51. Died IQ5\. ilfar. Sara Armour.
ROSE, JAMES. 1st July 1824. ■'
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of James Rose, Depute-Clerk of Session.
Died 1st December 1864, aged 68. Mar. 16th Juno 1830, Susan Brabazon,
daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Wight of Largnean.
ROSS, ALEXANDER.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
ROSS, ALEXANDER, of Little Daan. 14th July 1718.
Apprentice to James Baird — Son of Alexander Ross of Easter Fearn, Ross-shire.
Died 4th March 1753.
ROSS, HUGH, OF Knockbrake. 5th June 1845.
Apprentice to Joseph Gordon. — Son of Hugh Ross of Knockbrake, Ross-shire.
Bmi 12th January 1820. Died 25th February 1889. Mar. 25th June 1845,
Anne, youngest daughter of Thomas Houstoun, Kintradwell, Sutherlandshire.
Sheriflf-Substitute at Tobermory, 1865-85.
ROSS, JAMES HUNTER. 27th June 1820.
Apprentice to William Dallas. — Third son of William Ross, Collector of Customs,
Stranraer. Died 18th September 1865, aged 73. Mar. (1) 26th August 1816,
Margaret, daughter of Johnstone, Castle-Douglas; and (2) 1st June 1833,
Margaret Penelope, youngest daughter of James Foulds, Wheatfield, Ayr.
Latterly a Solicitor in Melbourne.
ROSS, JOHN. 1609.
Died February 1621. Mar. Helen Cunyngham.
ROSS, JOHN, OF NuiCK. 23d October 1704.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Died 1740. Mar. Jean, daughter of Andrew
Ross of Nuick, Stirlingshire.
ROSS, JOHN. 30th January 1797.
Apprentice to (1) Walter Ross and (2) Robert Dundas. — Third son of Walter
Ross, W.S. Died, 11th December 1817. Mar. 20th September 1805, Christina,
daughter of John Moncrieff of Sauchopewood, Fifeshire.
LIST OF MEMBEES ^^^''"^ 175
ROSS, JOHN LEITH, of Arnage. ' 27th January 1801.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Second son of Alexander Leith of Freefield,
Aberdeenshire. Bmn 29th September 1777. Died 15th May 1839. Mar. 7th
January 1807, Elizabeth, daughter of William Young of Theddocksley, Provost
of Aberdeen.
ROSS, JOHN. 28th January 1878.
Apprentice to Robert Dobbie Ross, his brother. — Son of John Ross, S.S.C.
Bffm nth August 1850. Mar. 24th April 1879, Julia Ann, widow of Robert
^^ , ..Beckwith Towse, London.
ROSS, ROBERT. 21st November 1790.
Apprentice to John Innes. — Only .son of Daniel Ross of Binns. Died 1825.
ROSS, ROBERT DOBBIE. 31st December 1867.
Apprentice to James Duncan. — Son of John Ross, S.S.C. B<yrn 1st March 1841.
Died 1st October 1877, unmarried.
ROSS, WALTER. 25th June 1764.
Apprentice to John Russell of Rosebume. — Son of Charles Ross, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Died 11th March 1789. Mar. Margaret, daughter of John Moubraj',
of the Cockairny family. Author of Lectwes on the Practice of the Law of Scotland
1792, and other legal works.
ROW, CHARLES, of Innerallan. 5th April 1688.
Apprentice to Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockbnm. — Died March 1709. Mar.
Christian Anderson.
ROWAN, JOHN. "2d September 1648.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Son of Rowan ; cousin of Andrew Rowan
of Gask. Re-admitted 21st November 1661. Died before 1663.
ROWAN, JOHN. 13th February 1744.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace. — Son of James Rowan of Hethryhall. Died April
1750. Mar. May 1740, Janet, daughter of John Paterson, Merchant, Glasgow.
ROY, FREDERICK LEWIS, of Nenthorn. 4th July 1823.
Apprentice to James Heriot. — Son of William Roy of Nenthorn, Berwickshire.
Born 1799. Died 15th February 1868. Mar. (1) 5th June 1827, Margaret Louisa,
daughter of Charles Maitland Makgill of Rankeillour; and (2) 26th October
1853, Mary Catherine, daughter of Alexander Boswell, W.S.
ROY, JAMES. 25th May 1826.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Son of James Roy, residing in Perth. Died
nth November 1881. Mar. 10th May 1864, Anne, youngest daughter of John
Robertson, Invercomrie, Perthshire.
176 THE SOCIETY 0^;>YiiI?^^I^S. TO THE SIGNET
EOY, EGBERT, of Riroy. 7th Febraary 1822.
Apprentice to ^neas Macbean. — Son of James Roy, Surgeon to the Forces at
Fort George. Born 1796. Died 10th September 1873. Mar. 5th June 1867,
Mary, daughter of William Dean, Solicitor, London.
RUSSEL, GEORGE. 17th February 1800.
Apprentice to James Watson. — Third son of Alexander Russel of Montcoffer,
Aberdeenshire. Died 3d October 1826. Mar. 13th March 1804, his cousin
Catherine, eldest daughter of Thomas Russel of Rathen.
RUSSELL, ALEXANDER JAMES. " 16th November 1837.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Russell, W.S. — Boni 21st June 1814.
Died 8th January 1887. Mar. (1) 9th January 1839, Magdalene, daughter of
Andrew Stein of Wester Greenyards, Stirlingshire; and (2) 13th April 1861,
Elizabeth Anne, youngest daughter of Samuel Lancaster, Wateringbury Place,
Kent.
RUSSELL, GEORGE, of Inch. 16th January 1798.
Apprentice to John Anderson of Inchyra. — Eldest son of James Russell of South
Inch. Died 1st April 1826. Mar. 11th November 1798, Jane, daughter of
William Simpson of Ogel.
RUSSELL, HAMILTON. 13th November 1834.
Apprentice to James Gillespie Davidson. — Son of Adam Russell, Architect in
.,f\! Edinburgh. Bm-n 22d September 1801. Died 18th June 1881. Mar. 29th April
1839, Mary, daughter of Rev. T. B. Blackburn, Durham. Sheriff-Substitute at
Wick, 1849-80.
RUSSELL, JAMES. 30th January 1840.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Fourth sou of Alexander Russell, Coachbuilder
in Edinburgh. Bmi 16th June 1811. Died 7th February 1846. Mar. 1846,
Isabella, daughter of Charles Wildgoose, Captain in merchant service.
RUSSELL, JOHN, of Braidshaw. 16th November 1711.
Apprentice to James Anderson. — Fourth son of James Russell of Kingseat,
Peeblesshire. Bm-n December 1672. Died 27th January 1759. Mar. (1) 29th
August 1698, Maria, third daughter of Andrew Russell, Merchant, Rotterdam;
(2) 1706, Ursala, daughter of Claud Alexander of Newton; and (3) 1720, Mary,
daughter of the Rev. W. Anderson, Minister of West Calder.
RUSSELL, JOHN, of Roskburnk. 3d April 1749.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, John Russell of Braidshaw, Mid-Lothian, W.S. —
Born 12th December 1710. Died May 1796. Mar. 17th October 1751, Bethia
daughter of Daniel Campbell of Greenyards, Stirlingshire.
LIST OF MEMBEES 177
RUSSELL, JOHN. 24th June 1774.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, John Russell of Roseburne, W.S. — Bom 1753.
Died 2d December 1792. Mar. 8th June 1778, Eleanor, daughter of the Rev.
William Robertson, D.D., Principal of Edinburgh University.
RUSSELL, JOHN. Sth March 1803.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Only son of John Russell, W.S. Bom 22d
February 1780. Died 30th January 1862. Mar. 10th June 1810, Cecilia,
daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Murray, son of William Murray of Touch-
adam, Stirlingshire. Third Clerk to Jury Court, 1815-30. Principal Clerk of
Session, 9th May 1842-58.
RUSSELL, PATRICK, or Kellerstain. 24th February 1794.
Apprentice to John Russell, Sen., and John Russell, Jun. — Fifth son of John
Russell, W.S. Bom 1771. Died 9th April 1835. Mar. 28th December 1799,
Rebecca Thomas, daughter of Michael Carmichael of Hazelhead. Fiscal, 1807-20.
RUSSELL, WILLIAM. 30th November 1675.
Apprentice to Alexander Leslie. — Mar. 13th October 1668, Catherine, daughter
of Alexander Leslie, W.S.
RUTHERFOORD, JOHN, of Knowsouth. 31st July 1798.
Apprentice to William Riddell. — Eldest son of Thomas Rutherfoord of Know-
south, Roxburghshire. Died April 1811.
RUTHERFORD, ANDREW. Sth August 1649.
Apprentice to Adam Watt and Alexander Douglas. — Re-admitted 21st November
1661.
RUTHERFORD, JAMES, of Ashintully. 5th August 1777.
Apprentice to James Ramsay. — Third son of Andrew Rutherford, Tanner, Kirk-
caldy. 5aTOl729. DJf^ 18th May 1817. Mtr. Elizabeth Wardlaw.
RUTHERFORD, JAMES. 7th February 1822.
Apprentice to James Wright. — Son of James Rutherford, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 3d September 1843, aged 47. Mar. 27th November 1820, Susannah
Hardcastle, of Haughton, daughter of Michael Hardcastle of Haughton, Durham.
RUTHERFORD, JOHN. 14th November 1800.
Apprentice to Robert Trotter. — Eldest son of John Rutherford of Mossburn,
Roxburghshire. Diet? 1822.
RUTHERFORD, ROBERT. 7th March 1815.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranstoa — Second son of Dr. Daniel Rutherford, Physician
in Edinburgh. Born 22d February 1790. Died 6th June 1866, unmarried.
Deputy-Keeper of the Abbey of Holyrood.
178 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
RUTHERFURD, GEORGE, of Fairnington. 29th June 1759.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Son of George Rutherfurd of Fairnington,
Roxburghshire. Died 27th October 1774. Mar. August 1757, Mary, daughter
of Strother Ker of Littledean, Roxburghshire.
RUTHERFURD, JAMES HUNTER 10th January 1887.
Apprentice to George Dalziel. — Son of Andrew Rutherfurd, Advocate, Sheriff-
Substitute of Mid-Lothian. Born 13th June 1864.
RUTHERFURD, JOHN. 26th November 1829.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of John Rutherfurd, Saddler in Jedburgh.
B(yrn 20th December 1803. Died 29th November 1865. Mar. 23d February
1836, Cassandra, daughter of Adam Scott Elliot of Arkleton, Dumfriesshire.
RUTHERFURD, JOHN. 22d March 1866.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Rutherfurd, W.S. — Born 3d February 1841.
RYMER, JOHN. 9th June 1825.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of Henry Rymer, Merchant in Bo'ness. Born
1800. Died 3d August 1837. Mar. 1st October 1834, Christian, only daughter
of Lieutenant-Colonel Dalgleish of West Grange, Perthshire.
SANDEMAN, DAVID CHISHOLM, of Kirkwood. 13th November 1828.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie. — Third son of David George Sandeman of
Springland, Perthshire. Bmrn 24th March 1806. Died 13th November 1852.
Mar. 4th April 1843, Julia, only daughter of John Robertsou of Foveran,
Aberdeenshire.
SANDERSON, WILLIAM. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Son of John Sanderson, Lapidary in Edinburgh.
Born 1802. Died 25th June 1836, unmarried.
SANDILANDS, MATTHEW, of Couston. 2d December 1779.
Apprentice to (1) James Home ; and (2) Walter Scott. — Only son of Rev.
Matthew Sandilands, Minister of Eccles. Died 3d August 1821.
SANDILANDS, ROBERT. 26th May 1818.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Fourth son of George Sandilands of Nuthill, Fifeshire.
Born 1790. Died 20th May 1872. Mar. 14th July 1829, Mary, youngest
daughter of Sir Charles Style, Bart., of Wateringbury, Kent Assistant Judge
at Nassau, New Providence.
SANDS, WARREN HASTINGS. 25th May 1814.
Apprentice to James Thomson. — Second son of William Sands, Major in the
Service of the Hon. East India Company. Born 1791. Died 1st February 1874.
Mar. 5th June 1820, Harrietta Lindesay, youngest daughter of Henry Bethune
of Kilconquhar, Fifeshire. Agent to Teind Court, 1825.
LIST OF MEMBEKS i 179
SANDS, WILLIAM, of Langsidk 25th November 1780.
Apprentice to William Macdonald. — Third son of William Sands of Langside.
Died 20th June 1783.
SANDS, WILLIAM JOHN. 2 2d May 1845.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, WaiTen Hastings Sands, W.S. — Born 9th July
1821. Died 11th April 1879. Mar. 8th June 1852, Augusta Sophia, daughter
of Major-General Wemyss of Green Park, Bath.
SANDY, GEORGK 10th July 1798.
Apprentice to Anthony Barclay. — Son of George Sandy, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born \711. Died 8th April 1853. Secretary to the Bank of Scotland.
SANG, DAVID. 13th July 1871.
Apprentice to Alexander Forsyth Adam. — Son of John Sang, S S.C. Bm-n 27th
January 1838. Died 27th May 1883, unmarried.
SANG, JOHN HENRY, LL.B. 20th October 1884.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Blair Maconochie; and (2) Andrew Forrester. — Son of
George Sang, S.S.C. Born 26th May 1861.
SAUNDERS, JAMES. 10th August 1775.
Apprentice to Charles Gordon. — Died 16th May 1795. Mar. Margaret, daughter
of Joseph Williamson, Advocate.
SCARTH, PILLANS. 10th March 1825.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson. — Son of James Scarth, Merchant in Leith. Died
24th October 1881. Mar. 5th June 1828, Cecilia, daughter of the Rev. Thomas
Scott, Minister of Newton, Mid-Lothian.
SCHENIMAN, HOPE. 4th June 1829.
Apprentice to (1) Robert Y. Anderson; (2) Archibald Crawford; and (3) R. Y.
Anderson. — Youngest son of Ferdinand Scheniman, Accoimtant in Edinburgh.
Died 28th November 1858, aged 54, unmarried.
SCHOIR, ADAM.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594.
SCOTLAND, JOHN, of Glendouglas. 7th July 1815.
Apprentice to (1) Charles Innes ; (2) William Handyside.— Son of Thomas
Scotland, W.S. Died 14th October 1860, aged 69. Mar. (1) 24th April 1820,
Mary, daughter of Robert Bum, Architect, Edinburgh; and (2) 26th June 1851,
Anne Catherine, daughter of Browne Roberts of Ravenbourne Park, Lewisham.
SCOTLAND, THOMAS, of Wester Luscar. 12th July 1791.
Apprentice to James Buchan.— Son of John Scotland, Merchant in Perth, Died
26th November 1824. Mar.
180 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
SCOTT, ALEXANDER, of Tkinity. 27th February 1817.
Apprentice to Joseph Cauvin. — Eldest son of William Scott, Solicitor-at-Law.
Bom 1792. Died at Melbourne 22d May 1840. Mar. (1) 3d August 1819, Helen
Sutherland, only daughter of Ebenezer Mai-shall Gardiner of Hillcairny ; and (2)
5th August 1823, Magdalene, second daughter of William Blair of Blair, Ayr-
shire.
SCOTT, ANDREW. 8th July 1823.
Apprentice to (1) Joseph Cauvin ; and (2) James Carnegie. — Eldest son of David
Scott, Farmer at Northfield, Duddingston. Born 1798. Died 31st October 1874.
Mar. (1) 31st October 1827, Mary Ann, daughter of William Affleck, Liverpool ;
and (2) 29th June 1847, Marion S., daughter of James Lidderdale, Lochbank,
Castle-Douglas.
SCOTT, ANDREW. 18th November 186L
Apprentice to James Peddie. — Son of Andrew Scott, W.S. Bom 26th November
1834. Died 31st October 1870. Mar. 21st March 1870, Barbara Jennison, eldest
daughter of Thomas Beamish of Cashelmore, County Cork, and widow of Alfred
Henry Hannay.
SCOTT, ANDREW GEDDES. 19th October 1885.
Apprentice to Robert Burt Ranken. — Son of William David Scott, S.S.C. Bom
8th March 1861.
SCOTT, ANDREW THOMAS STEELE, of Crosswoodhiuu 21st April 1875.
Apprentice to John Cook. — Son of Archibald Scott, Solicitor in Edinburgh. Bom
30th September 1851. Mar. 15th April 1879, Anna Eupheniia, daughter of
John Menzies Baillie of Culterallers, Lanarkshire.
SCOTT, CHARLES BALFOUR. . 10th March 1806.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Second son of Charles Scott of Woll, Roxburgh-
shire. Bom 1782. Died 3d February 1838. Mar. 9th November 1818, Eliza,
second daughter of the Rev. Alexander Ker, Minister of Stobo.
SCOTT, CHARLES FRANCIS. 14tli July 1890.
Apprentice to F. Pitman, J. R. Anderson, W. H. Murray and A. Pitman. — Only
surviving son of George Ferme Scott, S.S.C. Bmn 20th December 1866,
SCOTT, DAVID, of Simbister. 15th May 1817.
Apprentice to Henry Moncrieff. — Son of Andrew Scott, Watchmaker in Dingwall.
Died suddenly 22d January 1839, aged 48. Mar. 14th December 1821, Theodosia,
youngest daughter of Robert Anderson, Edinburgh.
SCOTT, GEORGE. 24th May 1827.
Apprentice to John K. Campbell and Andrew Clason. — Son of William Scott,
Brewer in Leith. Bom 1804. Died 12th May 1833, unmarried.
LIST or MEMBERS 181
SCOTT, HERCULES, of Brotherton. 19th March 1719.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Son of Hercules Scott of Brotherton, Kincardine-
shire. Born 1659. Died March 1725. Mar. 1707, Helen, eldest daughter of Sir
Charles Ramsay of Balmain, Bart. Substitute-Keeper of the Signet.
SCOTT, JAMES.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Died 1628.
SCOTT, JAMES, of Scotsloch. 20th December 1672.
Apprentice to James Allan. — Third son of Sir William Scott of Clerkington,
East Lothian, Senator of the College of Justice. Mar. Margaret Boyd.
SCOTT, JAMES. 9th January 1738.
Apprentice to Robert Dalrymple. — Son of James Scott, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 12th December 1792. Mar. Margaret, daughter of Andrew Marjoribanks
of that Ilk.
SCOTT, JAMES, of Brotherton. 18th June 1802.
Apprentice to Charles Innes. — Son of David Scott of Netherholm, Kincardine-
shire. Bom 1776. Died 22d September 1844, unmarried,
SCOTT, JOHN, of Glenormiston. 26th February 1784.
Apprentice to Cornelius Elliot. — Youngest son of William Scott of Woll, Rox-
burghshire. Died 24th March 1803. Mar. Beatrice Caverhill.
SCOTT, JOHN, OF Teviotbank. 15th November 1832.
Apprentice to Gilbert Laurie Finlay. — Son of William Scott of Teviotbank,
Roxburghshire, W.S. Born 2d October 1809. Died 16th July 1867. Mar. 2d
October 1850, Anne, second daughter of Henry Singleton, of Belpatrick, County
Louth.
SCOTT, JOHN, LL.B. 19th October 1885.
Apprentice to Robert Craigie Bell. — Son of William Scott, residing at Coaltown
of Balgonie, Markinch. Bom 21st March 1861.
SCOTT, PATRICK. 5th December 1699.
Apprentice to Robert Innes. — Nephew of Hercules Scott, Merchant, Edinburgh.
Died August 1711. Mar. Elizabeth Cunningham.
SCOTT, THOMAS. 4th August 1777.
Apprentice to Leonard Urquhart. — Seventh son of Archibald Scott of Rossie,
Fifeshire. Died 24th June 1794.
SCOTT, THOMAS. 19th November 1797.
Apprentice to George Johnston. — Eighth son of Walter Scott, W.S. Bwn 1774.
Died in Canada 14th February 1823. Mar. 16th December 1799, Elizabeth, third
daughter of David M'CulIoch of Ardwall, Kirkcudbrightshire. Extractor of
Court of Session, 1810. Officer of Manx Fencibles. Paymaster of the 70th
Regiment.
jm THE SOCIETY OP WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
SCOTT, THOMAS GRAY. 27th June 1833.
Apprentice to Walter Dickson and James Steuart. — Son of Archibald Scott,
Solicitor-at-Law, Edinburgh, and Procurator-Fiscal for Mid-Lothian. Bom 29th
August 1811. Died at Madeira 15th January 1856. Mar. 11th April 1844,
Ellinor, daughter of Samuel Cooper of Failford, Ayrshire.
SCOTT, THOMAS MACMILLAN, of Wauchope. 22d November 1838.
Apprentice to Lawrence Davidson and Thomas Syme. — Eldest son of Walter
Scott of Wauchope, Roxburghshire. Born 13th February 1816. Died 10th June
1862. Mar. 10th April 1844, Catherine, daughter of Browne Roberts of Ravens-
bourne Park, Kent.
SCOTT, WALTER. 13th January 1755.
Apprentice to (1) James Pringle ; and (2) Thomas Cockburn. — Son of Robert
Scott in Sandyknowes, Roxburghshire. Boi-n 11th May 1729. Died 12th April
1799. Mar. April 1758, Anne, eldest daughter of John Rutherford, M.D.,
Professor of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh. Father of Sir Walter
Scott, Bart., Novelist.
SCOTT, Sir WILLIAM, of Elie.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. — Son of John Scott of Orchardfield,
Edinburgh. Died 1628, aged 82. Mar. (1) Elizabeth, daughter of Hamilton of
Priestfield ; (2) Isobel, daughter of David Durie of that Ilk ; and (3) 1602, Jean,
daughter of Sir John Skene, Clerk Register. Director in Chancery 1592. Clerk
of Session.
SCOTT, WILLIAM.
Commissioner, 18th October 1631. — Clerk of Council and Session.
SCOTT, WILLIAM, of Teviotbank. 23d May 1808.
Apprentice to William Riddell. — Only son of John Scott of Glenormiston, Peebles-
shire, W.S. Bmi 1782. Died 18th August 1841. Mar. (1) 22d September 1808,
Miss Jordan of Edinburgh; and (2) 9th October 1816, Margaret, second daughter
of Dr, Duncan, Edinburgh.
SCRIMGEOUR, HENRY, of Wester Lochgelly. 9th February 1702.
Apprentice to John Montgomery. — Son of Mr. James Scrimgeour, Minister of
Currie. Died 9th October 1731. Mar. 23d February 1704, Agnes, daughter of
Uthred Macdougall of Hagburu.
SCRIMGEOUR, HENRY. 14th July 1735.
Apprentice to Charles Farquharson. — Son of Henry Scrimgeour of Wester Loch-
gelly, Fifeshire, W.S. Died 29th Mai-ch 1778. Mar. June 1743, Margaret,
daughter of George Cruickshanks of Banchory.
LIST OF MEMBEKS 183
SELLAR, JAMES TYREELL. ICth January 1879.
Apprentice to T. G. Murray and J. A. Jamieson. — Eldest son of the Rev. James
Annand Sellar, Incumbent of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh. Bom 3d
June 1854. liar. 21st October 1885, Eliza, daughter of John Granger of Pitcur,
Forfarshire.
SEMPLE, ALEXANDER.
Died 1628.
SEMPLE, JOHN, of Balgone. 28th August 1635.
Apprentice to Harry Veache. — Brother of Mr. James Semple, Minister of
Carmichael. Died 20th June 1662. Mar. Anna, second daughter of Sir Archibald
Sydserff, Bailie of Edinburgh. Commissioner, 1st May 1649.
SEMPLE, JOHN, of Balgone. 23d July 1674.
Apprentice to (1) John Semple, his uncle j and (2) Walter Ewing. — Died 1680.
SETON, WILLIAM. 6th December 1707.
Apprentice to Arthur Forbes. — Died 18th August 1747.
SHAND, DAVID LISTER. 25th November 1869.
Apprentice to John Cook. — Son of John Shand, W.S. Bm'n 31st July 1839.
Mar. 23d July 1873, Angelica Manning, daughter of John Inglis Harvey of
Kinnettles, Forfarshire, Accountant-General, Bengal.
SHAND, JOHN. 4th December 1823.
Apprentice to Hugh M'Queen. — Son of the Rev. James Shand, Minister of Mary-
kirk. Bern 6th January 1801. Died 26th October 1876. Mar. 4th September
1827, Isobel, only daughter of David Lister of Kininmonth, Fifeshire, W.S.
SHAND, JOHN BATTY. 26th November 1829.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Second son of John Shand of the Burn, Kincardine-
shire. Born 1804. Died 1st August 1877, unmarried.
SHARPE, WILLIAM, of Hoddam. 10th July 1820.
Apprentice to John Forman. — Son of Charles Sharpe of Hoddam, Dumfriesshire.
Born 1791. Died 18th December 1875, unmarried,
SHAW, CHARLES. 11th December 1834.
Apprentice to William Mackenzie. — Son of Duncan Shaw, residing at Nunton,
Benbecula. Born 1st March 1812. Died 10th September 1885. Mar. 4th August
1842, Ann Margaret, eldest daughter of James Thomas Macdonald of Balranald,
North Uist. Sheriflf-Substitute at Lochmaddy, 1843-81.
SHAW, DAVID. 21st May 1812.
Apprentice to Craufurd Tait. — Eldest son of Charles Shaw, Writer in Ayr. Bom
5th November 1788. Died 9th October 1870. Mar. 1st November 1826, Glencairn
Dalrymple, eldest daughter of John Armstrong, Cherry Vale, County Antrim.
184 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
SHAW, DAVID. 27th June 1872.
Apprentice to Thomas Thomson and David Scot Dickson. — Bom 14th June 1835.
SHAW, DUNCAN. 21st January 1874.
Apj)rentice to Colin Mackenzie and A. D. M. Black. — Son of Charles Shaw, W.S.
Born 7th October 1850. Mar. 15th January 1889, Elizabeth, third daughter of
George Gordon, Aberdeen.
SHEPHERD, ALFRED. 11th April 1887.
Apprentice to James Hotchkis Jameson. — Son of David Shepherd, Property
Agent, Dundee. Born 6th June 1857.
SHEPHERD, JAMES. 10th March 1817.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Son of the Rev. Robert Shepherd, Minister of
Daviot. Born 6th February 1790. Died 4th December 1857. Mar. 2d May
1848, Marion Scott, daughter of William Handyside, W.S.
SIBBALD, CHARLES. 22d November 1776.
Apprentice to John Bell. — Son of William Sibbald, Tailor, Edinburgh. Died 11th
October 1777.
SIBBALD, DAVID, of Abden. 2d June 1809.
Apprentice to Edward Bruce. — Son of John Sibbald of Abden, Fifeshire. Died
23d February 1815.
SIBBALD, GEORGE. 18th January 1656.
Apprentice to John Learmonth. — Son of James Sibbald in Drumgay. Died March
1668. Mar. Janet Learmonth. Re-admitted 14th January 1662.
SIBBALD, HENRY. 27th February 1819.
Apprentice to James Gibson. — Ninth son of William Sibbald of Gladswood,
Merchant in Leith. Born 1793. Died 13th August 1837. Mar. 3d October
1821, Agnes, only child of James Edmund, Glasgow.
SIBBALD, WILLIAM GRAHAM. 14th July 1890.
Apprentice to D. Henry and Charles Cook. — Son of John Sibbald, M.D., Edin-
burgh. Bom 25th October 1866.
SIMPSON, DANIEL. 26th July 1695.
Apprentice to George M'Kenzie. — Died 28th January 1715. Mar. June 1698,
Jean, daughter of Robert Aitchison of Sydserff, East Lothian.
SIMPSON, JOHN. 1727.
Apprentice to Alexander Mitchell of Craigend. — Di^d before 1733.
SIMPSON, ROBERT RUSSELL. 12th November 1869.
Apprentice to Thomas Dawson Brodie. — Fourth son of Alexander Simpson,
Banker in Bathgate, and nephew of Sir James Young Simpson, Bart. Born 31st
December 1840. Mar. 26th December 1877, Helen Dymock, eldest daughter of
Samuel Raleigh, Manager, Scottish Widows' Fund, Edinburgh.
LIST OF MEMBEES i 185
SIMSON, CHARLES SIMSON RANKINE, of TiiREirwooD. Utli March 1872:
Apprentice to John and James Turn bull. — Son of the Rev. John Rankine, D.D.,
Minister of Som. Born 15th October 1847. Assumed name of Simson on suc-
ceeding to estate of Threipwood.
SIMSON, JOHN THOMAS. 31st May 1860.
Apprentice to James Shepherd, T. M. Grant, and William Cuthbertson. — Son of
the Rev. Henry Simson, Minister of Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. Bm'n
26th May 1837. Disd 9th November 1865, unmarried.
SINCLAIR, GEORGE. 4th August 1777.
Apprentice to Leonard Urquhart. — Third son of James Sinclair of Durran, Caith-
ness. Died 6th December 1779. Mar. 19th September 1775, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John Sutherland of Forse, Caithness.
SINCLAIR, GEORGE LEWIS, of Dalreoch. 23d November 1827.
Apprentice to William Renny. — Second son of James Sinclair of Forss, Caithness.
Bom 1803. Died 22d October 1878. Mar. 11th February 1830, Frances Ann,
second daughter of John Boazman of Acornbank, Westmoreland.
SINCLAIR, GEORGE SUTHERLAND. 12th November 1829.
Apprentice to James and Charles Nairne. — Son of Lieutenant-Colonel John
Sutherland, R.A. Born 1805. Died 16th January 1834, unmarried.
SINCLAIR, JOHN, of Balgrigie. 28th June 1736.
Apprentice to James Graham. — Only son of George Ross, Advocate. Died 26th
October 1784. Mar. 25th October 1753, Rachel, daughter of John Moncriefif,
Merchant, Perth. Admitted Advocate 11th June 1748.
SINCLAIR, PETER. 18th June 1739.
Died 1763. Fiscal, 1755-63.
SINCLAIR, ROBERT. 31st December 1708.
Apprentice to John M'Farlane. — Died 11th April 1715, aged 30. Mar. 18th
January 1711, Lilias, daughter of John Anderson, Coppersmith in Edinburgh.
SINCLAIR, WILLIAM. 8th August 1785.
Apprentice to Francis Anderson.— Youngest son of Alexander Sinclair of Barrock,
Caithness. Died 7th July 1 799, unmarried. Commissary of Caithness.
SINGER, JAMES. 12th December 1822.
Apprentice to Robert Ainslie. — Son of the Rev. William Singer, D.D., Minister of
Kirkpatrick-Juxta. Died 1st February 1836, aged 35, unmarried.
SKELTON, JAMES. 12th February 1824.
Apprentice to Robert Fleeming. — Son of John Skelton, Sheriff-Substitute at
Kinross. Born 1799. Died 14th May 1882. Mar. 11th October 1830, Margaret
Marjory, eldest daughter of Thomas Kinnear of Kinloch, Fifeshire. Sheriff-Sub-
stitute at Peterhead, 1829-70.
2 a
186 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
SKENE, JAMES.
Mentioned 16th May 1611.
SKENE, JOHN, of Hallyaeds.
Commissioner, 18th October 1631. Second son of Sir John Skene of Curriehill,
Lord Register. Died December 1644. Mar. 29th June 1603, Alison, sister of
William Rigg of Athernie^ Fifeshire. Clerk of the Bills, 1614. Clerk of Session.
SKENE, WILLIAM FORBES, D.C.L., LL.D. 16th November 1831.
Apprentice to (1) Francis Wilson ; and (2) Sir H. Jardine, G. T. Stodart, and
William Eraser. — Son of James Skene of Rubislaw, Advocate. £mn 7th June
1809. Author of The Siffhlanders of Scotland, tJieir Origin, History, and Antiquities,
1837 ; Celtic Scotland, and other works. Depute-Clerk of Session, 1st November
1853-67. Historiographer-Royal for Scotland, 1881.
SKINNER, JOHN ROBERT. 6th July 1813.
Apprentice to Alexander Youngson. — Son of James Skinner, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Bm-n 1786. Died 13th September 1849. Mar. 21st April 1814, Ann,
daughter of William Black, Writer in Brechin.
SKINNER, WILLIAM, of Corra. 16th November 1848.
Apprentice to John Hunter, Auditor of Court. — Son of John Robert Skinner,
W.S. Born 24th July 1823. Mar. (1) 18th June 1850, John Ann Farish, only
, surviving child of Robert Kirk of Drumstenchill, Kirkcudbrightshire ; and (2)
,. 25th November 1880, Charlotte Eremengarde, youngest daughter of Charles
Warren of Longford and Market-Drayton. Town-Clerk of Edinburgh since 1874.
SLIGO, GEORGE, of Auldhame. 23d June 1820.
Apprentice to William Dallas. — Youngest son of John Sligo, Merchant in Leith.
Born 1797. Died 3d December 1847. Mar. 4th June 1822, Anna Sita, eldest
daughter of Benjamin Outram of Butterly Hall, Derbyshire.
SMALL, ALEXANDER MURISON. 27th June 1878.
Apprentice to Robert and James Alexander Haldane. — Son of James Small,
Accountant, Calcutta, and grandson of the Rev. Alexander Small, D.D., Stirling.
Brni 26th July 1854.
SMALL, J.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606.
SMALL, PATRICK.
Mentioned 20th January 1608. Mar. 9th August 1598, Isabella Coult.
SMALL, THOMAS. 5th March 1801.
Apprentice to William Dunbar. — Only son of Charles Small, Wigmaker in Edin-
burgh. Died 1st October 1830. Mar. (2) 27th April 1829, Margaret, daughter
of Colin Clark, Edinburgh. Marchmont Herald, 1801-30.
LIST OF MEMBERS . 187
SMITH, ADAM. 31st March 1707.
Apprentice to William Thomson. — Died 1726. Mar. Lilias Drummond.
SMITH, ALEXANDER. 23d February 1816.
Apprentice to John Smith, his brother. — Son of Thomas Smith, one of the
Principal Clerks of the Bills. Died 3d August 1868, aged 82. Mar. (1) 1st June
1830, Mary, eldest daughter of James Christie of Durie, Fifeshire ; and (2) 27th
July 1842, Margaret Louisa, daughter of Henry Wedderburn of Wedderburn.
SMITH, ANDREW. 6th July 1813.
Apprentice to John Campbell of Annfield. — Eldest son of John Smith, Farmer at
Law, Linlithgowshire. Died 17th December 1861, aged 77, unmarried.
SMITH, DAVID. 30th November 1826.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Second son of Alexander Smith, Banker in Edin-
burgh. Bm-n 13th January 1803. Died 16th December 1880. ilfar. (1) Uth
September 1830, Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Allan of Lauriston ; and
(2) 22d February 1849, Charlotte Eliza, second daughter of Charles William
Bigge of liinden, Northumberland.
SMITH, DONALD M'CALLUM. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to James Bumess. — Son of Alexander Bell Smith, LL.D., Edinburgh.
Born 23d July 1863.
SMITH, HARRY. 25th November 1852.
Apprentice to John and John Robert Tod. — Fifth son of Alexander Smith,
Advocate in Aberdeen. Barn 12th August 1829. Mar. 6th August 1861, Julia
Medina, daughter of Colonel Rice Jones, K.H., Royal Engineers. Admitted
Advocate 6th June 1857. Sheriff-Substitute at Greenock, 1874-85.
SMITH, JOHN. 23d July 1628.
Apprentice to George Mack.
SMITH, JOHN.
See Cunningham, John Smith.
SMITH, JOHN. 21st December 1730.
Sheriff-Clerk of Lanarkshire, 1743; Fiscal, 1763-77. Resigned his Commission
Uth July 1778.
SMITH, JOHN FAIRFULL, of Westfield. 19th November 1829.
Apprentice to William Bell.— Son of Captain Smith of the 33d Regiment. Died
7th January 1868, aged 62. Mar. (1) 12th June 1830, Caroline, third daughter
of Dutton Smith Turner of Clarendon, Jamaica; and (2) 10th January 1850,
Alexandrina, second daughter of William Thomson, Dumfries.
SMITH, WILLIAM. 29th May 1878.
Apprentice to James Peddie and Alexander Peddie Waddell. — Son of William
Smith, Writer in Edinburgh. Bm-n 20th May 1855. Mar. 7th February 1882,
Elizabeth Mary, eldest daughter of Jackson Coward Robinson, Ambleside.
188 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
SMYTH, JAMES, of Balhaery. 5th April 1742.
Apprentice to James Graham. — Son of John Smyth of Lietsie, Writer in Alyth.
Died 1781. Mar. Cecil, eldest daughter of Dr. John Kinloch.
SMYTH, JAMES. lOth December 1789.
Apprentice to Thomas Adaii-. — Son of Robert Smyth, Schoolmaster in Paisley.
Born 1759. Died 28th June 1827. Mar. 2.3d March 1798, Barbara, daughter of
John Barbour of Laws, Renfrewshire.
SMYTH, JOHN, of Balharry. 12th July 1779.
Apprentice to, and only sou of, James Smyth, W.S. — Died 7th February 1809.
Mar. (1) Agatha, fourth daughter of Sir John Wedderbum, third Baronet of
Blackness ; and (2) Joanna, daughter of Robert Gray, Writer in Edinburgh.
SMYTH, ROBERT, of Balharry. 2d June 1809.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Smyth, W.S. — Died 6th October 1855,
aged 73, unmarried.
SMYTH, ROBERT GILLESPIE, of Gibliston. 18th June 1802.
Apprentice to John Campbell (1785). — Son of Dr. James Gillespie, Principal of
St Mary's College, St. Andrews. Bor7i 4th February 1777. Died 11th November
1855. Mar. 8th November 1806, Amelia, daughter of Sir Robert Murray Keith,
Bart. Assumed name of Smyth on succeeding to estate of Gibliston, Fifeshire.
SNODGRASS, FRANCIS. 10th March 1803.
Apprentice to Thomas Gordon. — Son of Hugh Snodgrass, Writer in Paisley.
Died 1824. Resigned his Commission 24th November 1823.
SOMERVELL, GRAHAM CHARLES. 16th January 1879.
Apprentice to Charles Morton and John Neilsou. — Son of Graham Somervell of
Som Castle, Ayrshire. £wm 13th July 1854. Died 3d February 1889, unmarried.
SOMERVILLE, HUGH, of Inverteil. 1st June 1696.
Apprentice to Robert Carstairs. — Second son of James Somerville of Corehouse,
Lanarkshire. Died 29th May 1793. Mar. Agnes, third daughter of Sir Alexander
Gibson of Pentland, P.C.S.
SOMERVILLE, JOHN. 27th February 1650. '"'
SOMERVILLE, SAMUEL CHARTERS. 29th January 1802.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Second son of the Rev. Thomas Somerville, D.D.,
Minister of Jedburgh. Died 18th June 1823. Mar. 16th July 1807, eldest
daughter of Robert Low of Clatto, Fifeshire.
SOMERVILLE, ROBERT. 26th June 1846.
Apprentice to James Macallan. — Son of the Rev. James Somerville, Minister of
Drumelzier. Ji(yrn 20th April 1814. Died 5th February 1867, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS 189
SOOTE, GEORGE GIBSON. 15th November 1872.
Apprentice to James Mackenzie, J. B. Innes, and C. B. Logan. — Son of James
Soote, Merchant and Shipowner in Dundee. Bom 13th March 1849. Mar. 17th
April 1886, Alice Victoria, youngest daughter of General Lynch of Partry,
Ballinrobe, co. Mayo.
SOUTER, JAMES, of Kinminities. 11th March 1830.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Son of Stewart Souter of Melrose, Banffshire.
Born 1806. Died 18th July 1858. Mar. 5th April 1831, Anne, daughter of
Patrick Camegy of Lour, Forfarshire.
SPALDING, THOMAS. 21st March 1865.
Apprentice to Thomas M. Grant and William Cuthbertson. — Only son of William
Spalding, Professor in the University of St. Andrews. Born 31st December
1840. Died 4th March 1878, unmarried.
SPALDING, WILLIAM MELLIS. 21st November 1833.
Apprentice to William Fettes Pitcairn. — Son of William Spalding of Glennebray.
Bom 9th February 1811. Died 4th September 1857. Mar. 30th April 1846,
Jane, daughter of William Gordon of Hallmyre, Peeblesshire.
SPEID, JAMES. 21st April 1875.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie, W. R. Kermack, and George Mackenzie. — Son of
William Speid, Forneth, Blairgowrie. Bom 22d August 1849.
SPEID, JOHN, OF Ardovie. 4th March 1841.
Apprentice to William Murray. — Second son of Robert Speid of Ardovie, Forfar-
shure, W.S. Bm-n 26th June 1814. Died 16th May 1861, unmarried.
SPEID, ROBERT, of AiiUOViE. 20th June 1793.
Apprentice to William Leslie. — Only son of Robert Speid, Merchant in Dundee.
Died 20th December 1846, aged 82. Mar. 23d November 1801, Isabella, daughter
of James Hall of Millholm, Renfrewshire.
SPEIR, WILLIA]VI.
Signs the Acts 4th April 1607.
SPENS, DAVID. ISth June 1730.
Apprentice to James Armour. — Died 6th February 1771. Mar. Elizabeth,
daughter of the Rev. Lawrence Johnstone, Minister of Duns.
SPENCE, JAMES. 6th March 1828.
Apprentice to William Dallas.— Second son of Alexander Spence, Goldsmith in
Edinburgh. Died 15th September 1856, aged 68. Mar. 23d September 1834,
Jemima Grace, youngest daughter of James Hall, Major of the Forces, Gibraltar.
SPENS, NATHANIEL, of Craigsanquhar. 25th November 1830.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Eldest son of Colonel James Spens of Craig-
sanquhar, Fifeshire. Bom 18th February 1805. Died 22d November 1869.
Mar. 23d January 1840, Janet Law, daughter of George Guild.
ige THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS TO THE SIGNET
SPENS, REGINALD HOPE. 21st April 1870.
Apprentice to Colin Mackenzie and A. D. M. Black. — Fourth son of Archibald
Spens of Lathallan, Stirlingshire. Burn 6th November 1850. Mar. 18th April
1876, Mary Elizabeth, elder daughter of Francis Anderson, W.S.
SPOTTISWOODE, DAVID. 20th June 1793.
Apprentice to Cornelius Elliot. — Sixth son of James Spottiswoode of Dunipace,
Stirlingshire. Died 8th March 1807.
SPROT, THOMAS. 12th June 1823.
Apprentice to James Renton.^ — Youngest son of Alexander Sprot, residing in
Edinburgh. Born 27th January 1800. Died 23d July 1880. Mar. 3d August
1874, Margaret Morrison Malcolm.
STARK, WILLIAM.
Signs the Acts 7th December 1612.
STEELE, ANDREW, of Crosswoodhill. 18th March 1788.
Apprentice to Alexander Cunningham. — Only surviving son of James Steele,
Merchant in Edinburgh. Born 5th January 1759. Died 5th November 1832.
Mar. 15th August 1810, Marion, eldest daughter of Thomas Bell of Nether
Horsburgh, Peeblesshire. Deputy-Keeper Register of Sasines, 1788.
STEIN, ANDREW. 8th July 1847.
Apprentice to Henry Inglis. — Fourth son of Robert Stein of Kilbagie, Clackman-
nanshire. BmTi, 31st July 1824. Mar. 6th August 1856, Margaret Haig, daughter
of Francis Stupart, Major in 2d Dragoons (Scots Greys).
STENHOUSE, ALEXANDER THOMSON. 14th April 1884.
Apprentice to James Peddie, A. Peddie Waddell, and H. Ivory. — Son of James
Stenhouse of North Fod, Dunfermline. Born 28th December 1858. Mar. 16th
October 1889, Mary Johnston, elder daughter of Arthur Colville, Edinburgh.
STENHOUSE, JOHN. 19th June 1812.
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Youngest son of James Stenhouse, Farmer at
Grange. Died 6th February 1821.
STEPHEN, CHARLES CAMPBELL. 10th January 1887.
Apprentice to Charles Patrick Finlay. — Son of the Rev. Thomas Stephen, Minister
of Kinloss, Morayshire. .Boi'w 14th April 1862.
STEUART, ALEXANDER, of Edingla.ssie. 26th July 1727.
Apprentice to Andrew Hay of Montblairie. — Died 19th September 1787. Mar.
Margaret, only child of Colonel Cranston of Glen, Peeblesshire.
STEUART, ANDREW, of Auchlunkart. 15th July 1763.
Apprentice to Alexander Stewart. — Third son of George Steuart of Tannachy,
Banffshire. Died 10th October 1798. Mar. December 1778, Harriet, daughter of
James Gordon of Cocklarachy, Aberdeenshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 191
STEUART, ARCHIBALD. 23d June 1853.
Apprentice to, and second son of, James Steuart, W.S.—Born 25th July 1828.
Mar. 21st March 1859, Christian, third daughter of George Graham Bell of
Crurie, Advocate.
STEUART, CHARLES. 21st December 1786.
Apprentice to William Dick. — Second son of James Steuart, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born 19th September 1760. Died 6th February 1821. Mar. (1) 13th April 1795,
Mary, daughter of William Gordon, Bookseller in Edinburgh; and (2) 27th
October 1801, Margaret, daughter of James Lindesay, Merchant, Leith.
STEUART, CHARLES. 15th November 1832.
Apprentice to James and Charles Nairne. — Second son of Charles Steuart, W.S.
Born 1st April 1804.
STEUART, CHARLES. 14th November 1851.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, James Steuart, W.S. — Bom 7th December 1827.
Died 9th May 1888, unmarried.
STEUART, GEORGE, of Tannachy. 20th December 1791.
Apprentice to Andrew Steuart. — Eldest son of Patrick Steuart of Tannachy,
Banffshire. Died 25th October 1814, aged 45.
STEUART, GEORGE MACKENZIE. 17th March 1890.
Apprentice to R. L. and J. G. Stuart. — Son of George Steuart, Accountant to the
Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, Edinburgh. Borii 10th December 1866.
STEUART, JAMES. 8th July 1763.
Apprentice to James Pringle. — Third son of Charles Steuart of Ballechin, Perth-
shire. Died 16th September 1779, unmarried.
STEUART, JAMES. 20th May 1794.
Apprentice to James Walker. — Fourth son of Robert Steuart of Ballechin, Perth-
shire. Born 22d May 1767. Died 4th August 1803, unmarried.
STEUART, JAMES. 22d December 1825.
Apprentice to (1) Charles Steuart ; and (2) Francis Walker. — Eldest son of Charles
Steuart, W.S. Born 1st October 1802. Died 21st September 1886. Mar. 27th
February 1827, Elizabeth Brand, eldest daughter of Archibald Scott, Solicitor,
Edinburgh, and Procurator-Fiscal for Mid-Lothian.
STEUART, JAMES. 15th July 1884.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Archibald Steuart, W.S. — Bom 7th September
1860. Mar. 15th January 1890, Agatha, youngest daughter of Rev. Francis
Coulman Royds, Rector of Coddington, Cheshire.
STEUART, JOHN. 17th November 1701.
Apprentice to Daniel Simpson. — Son of Charles Steuart of Ballechin, Perthshire.
Died December 1750. Mar. Helen Steuart. Commissary of Moray. Fiscal,
1717-22. Treasurer. Resigned his Commission 1st August 1747.
192 THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
STEUART, JOHN, of Dalguise. 7th June 1825.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Eldest son of Charles Steuart of Dalguise,
Perthshire. Born 7th August 1799. Died 29th Decemher 1881. Mar. 6th
April 1829, the Hon. Janet Oliphant Murray, eldest daughter of Alexander, 8th
Lord Elibank. High Sheriff of Cape Colony, 1829.
STEVEN, CHARLES BANNATYNE. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to Robert Burt Ranken. — Son of Charles Bannatyne Steven, Writer
in Edinburgh. Born 8th September 1864.
STEVEN, ROBERT. 12th November 1869.
Apprentice to John Beatson Bell. — Son of Alexander Steven, Glasgow. Bom
31st July 1839. Mar. 22d September 1870, Je.ssie, younger daughter of James
Maxwell, Crossmichael.
STEVENSON, ALEXANDER. 22d December 1686.
Apprentice to James Johnston. — Died before 1698. Mar. 22d October 1676,
Janet, fourth daughter of Quentin Hamilton of Banicluith, Lanarkshire.
STEVENSON, ALEXANDER, of Montgreenan. llthMai-ch 1712.
Apprentice to Thomas Pringle. — Son of Hugh Stevenson of Montgreenan,
Ayrshire. Died 25th February 1755. Mar. 19th December 1711, Ann, third
daughter of Sir Archibald Hope of Rankeillor, one of the Lords of Session.
Treasurer of Society, 1722 and 1746-55.
STEVENSON, ALEXANDER. 28th January 1803.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Second son of Alexander Stevenson, Depute-
Clerk of Session. Died 6th July 1805.
STEVENSON, ALEXANDER. 7th July 1807.
Apprentice to John Campbell. — Son of Hugh Stevenson, Merchant in Oban.
Died 30th September 1815. Mar. 29th August 1811, Martha, youngest daughter
of James Pollock, Campbeltown.
STEVENSON, ALEXANDER. 23d November 1819.
Apprentice to John Forman. — Son of Thomas Stevenson, Farmer at Gilmerton.
Bom 1794. Died 7th April 1877. Mar. 17th August 1824, Catherine, second
daughter of Andrew White, Glasgow.
STEVENSON, ARCHIBALD, of Montgreenan. 17th July 1755.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, Alexander Stevenson of Montgreenan, Ayrshire,
W.S.— Died 13th July 1791.
STEWART, ALEXANDER. 5th April 1716.
Apprentice to Thomas Boyes. — Died before 1733.
STEWART, ALEXANDER JAMES. 10th March 1842.
Apprentice to John Bowie. — Son of Joseph Stewart Menzies of Foss, Perthshire.
Born 13th November 1820. Died 8th March 1873, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBEES 193
STEWAET, CHARLES. 19th April 1876.
Apprentice to J. 0. Mackenzie and "W. R Kermack. — Son of John Stewart of
Eskgrove, Mid-Lothian, W.S. Born 2 2d September 1852.
STEWAET, CHARLES CAMPBELL. 23d June 1817.
Apprentice to John Ferrier. — Second son of Alexander Stewart, Surgeon at Gogar.
Bwn 1794. Died 13th August 1836. Mar. 10th February 1826, Mary Henrietta,
daughter of Andrew Wood, Surgeon in Edinburgh.
STEWART, DAVID, of Stewarthall. 6th July 1768.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Sen. — Youngest son of Archibald Stewart of
Stewarthall, Stirlingshire. Brn-n 1744. Died 2d May 1823. Mar. April 1772,
Margaret, daughter of Robert Eamsay of Camno and Arthurstone, Forfarshire.
STEWAET, FEANCIS. 16th February 1826.
Apprentice to (1) Walter Dickson and George Dunlop; and (2) George Dunlop.
— Son of General Francis Stewart King of Lesmurdie, Banffshire. Born 1801.
Died at Paris, 23d September 1833, unmarried.
STEWAET, LAN CHAELES LINDSAY. 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to Alexander Howe and William Macgillivray. — Son of Colonel
Duncan Stewart^ 92nd Highlanders. Born 8th September 1865.
STEWAET, JAMES. 25th November 1672.
Apprentice to William Guthrie. — Son of John Stewart of Fungorth, youngest
son of Sir William Stewart of Grandtully, Perthshire.
STEWAET, JOHN. 29th January 1705.
Apprentice to William Dallas. — Died 12th August 1731. Mar. April 1707, Janet,
daughter of Sir Eobert Blackwood, Dean of Guild, Edinburgli.
STEWAET, JOHN, of Eskgrove. 29th June 1837.
Apprentice to John Ker and Henry Gordon Dickson. — Youngest son of Charles
Stewart, Captain of the Airly Castle, East Indiaman. Born 21st November 1813.
Died 1st July 1890. Mar. 21st November 1851, Isabella, eldest daughter of
James Hunter of Thurston, East Lothian.
STEWAET, EOBEET.
Signs Minute of 16th December 1594,
STEWART, ROBERT, of Ardvorlich. 27th June 1822.
Apprentice to James Dundas. — Eldest son of William Stewart of Ardvorlich,
Perthshire. Born 25th August 1799. Died 16th July 1854, unmarried.
STEWART, ROBERT, of Carphin. 27th June 1823.
Apprentice to John Donaldson. — Son of James Stewart of Carphin. Born 1797.
Died 25th May 1868. Mar. (1) 14th September 1826, Elizabeth, daughter of
Andrew Pringle of Kersmains; and (2) 1st July 1841, Agnes, daughter of James
Jeffrey, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Glasgow,
2b
194 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGXET
STEWART, WALTER. 16th July 1661.
Apprentice to William Henderson. — Son of John Stewart of Newhalls, Linlithgow-
shire. Bkd before 1711. Mar. 28th July 1653, Helen Dowie.
STEWART, WILLIAM. 21st March 1865.
Apprentice to James Steuart. — Son of William John Stewart, W.S. Born 25th
June 1840. Mar. 1st June 1875, Mary Harriet Binns, daughter of George
Greaves.
STEWART, WILLIAM JOHN. 12th December 1822.
Apprentice to John Irving. — Fourth son of William Stewart of Hillhead. Bwn
10th December 1798. Died 13th February 1842. Mar. 28th July 1835, Alison,
daughter of Charles Steuart, W.S.
STIRLING, JAMES, of Homehill. 18th November 1841.
Apprentice to John Dundas and William Wilson. — Only Son of William Stirling,
Architect in Dunblane. Born 27th May 1816. Died 31st August 1866. Mar.
23d January 1844, Christian, daughter of David Erskine of Elambazar, Bengal.
STIRLING, WILLIAM. 23d February 1680.
Apprentice to John Cunningham. — Son of George Stirling, indweller in Glasgow.
Died 21st February 1726. 3Iar. (1) Elizabeth Watson; and (2) April 1704,
Margaret, sister of Robert Cathcart of Drumjoan, Ayrshire, and widow of Robert
Crawfurd of Crawfurdton, W.S. Fiscal, 1686-90.
STIRLING-GRAHAM, WILLIAM, of Duntrune. 12th June 1818.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Only son of Patrick Stirling of Pittendreich,
Merchant in Dundee. Born 12th June 1794. Died 19tli December 1844, un-
married. Admitted Advocate 5th December 1823. Assumed name of Graham.
STODART, DAVID RIDDLE. 21st February 1856.
Apprentice to, and second son of, John Riddle Stodart, W.S. — Born 12th
October 1832. Mar. 2d April 1861, Louisa Flora Wilhelmina, daughter of Peter
Shepherd, Merchant, Quebec.
STODART, GEORGE TWEEDIE, of Oliver and Holmeshaw. 2d December 1824.
Apprentice to Francis Wilson. — Son of Thomas Stodart, Biggarsheils, Lanark-
shire. Born 13th October 1799. Died 26th August 1869. Mar. 4th June 1833,
Mary Wilson, daughter of Alexander Paul, Merchant in Birmingham.
STODART, GEORGE TWEEDIE. 14th March 1867.
Apprentice to, and third son of, George Tweedie Stodart, W.S. — Born 18th
January 1841. Died 23d May 1882, unmamed.
STODART, JOHN RIDDLE. 7th July 1815.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Fifth son of Robert Stodart of Kailzie, Peebles-
shire. Died 5th February 1871. Mar. 5th July 1826, Jemima Henrietta,
seventh daughter of David Brown of Greenknowe, Stirlingshire.
LIST OF MEMBERS 198
STORIE, ANDREW. 2d December 1794.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Only son of Andrew Storie, Candlemaker in
Edinburgh. Died 10th May 1862, aged 94. Mar. 3d February 1803, Penelope,
daughter of Barclay Fyfe, Merchant in Leith. Treasurer, 1828-62.
STRACHAN, FRANCIS. 24th November 1766.
Apprentice to David Anderson. — Son of Arthur Strachan, Writer in Edinburgh.
Died 20th December 1798. Mar. Katherine, daughter of Button, Merchant
in Edinburgh.
STRACHAN, JOHN, of Craigcrook. 5th November 1683.
Apprentice to James Cheyne. — Died 21st April 1719. Mar. Jean Moodie.
Fiscal, 1696-97. He mortified his lands of Craigcrook, Mid-Lothian, which he
purchased in 1698, for certain charitable purposes.
STRACHAN, ROBERT. 23d March 1796.
Apprentice to Robert Hotchkis. — Second son of John Strachan, Merchant in
Edinburgh. Born 1773. Died 23d April 1832. Mar. 11th March 1806, Janet,
third daughter of Paul Darling of Bogangreen, Berwickshire.
STRACHAN, THOMAS RENNY, of Tarrie. 19th November 1782.
Apprentice to (1) Alexander Robertson ; and (2) William Leslie. — Youngest son
of Thomas Renny, Merchant in Montrose. Died 20th October 1823. Mar. 20th
December 1796, Harriet, daughter of Shadrach Moyse, Solicitor to the Board of
Customs.
STRANG, WILLIAM.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627.
STRATHERN, ROBERT. 14th March 1872.
Apprentice to John and Henry Gordon Gibson. — Eldest son of Alexander
Strathern, Sheriff-Substitute of Lanarkshire. Born 16th July 1839. Mar. 23d
December 1867, Wilhelmina, daughter of Daniel Brown, Shipowner, Liverpool.
STRATOUN, ARTHUR.
Commissioner, 1st June 1607. Mar. 11th November 1606, Margaret Kincaid.
STRATOUN, ARTHUR, of Snawdoun. 15th May 1629.
Apprentice to James Stratoun. — Re-admitted 21st November 1661. Mar. (1)
14th April 1630, Catherine Menteith; and (2) 26th April 1642, Bessie Purves.
STRATOUN, JAMES, of Stratoun. 22d December 1610.
Commissioner, 26th December 1627. Died before 1648.
STRONG, THOMAS. 26th March 1857.
Apprentice to (1) John Gibson ; and (2) Andrew Storie. — Son of Thomas Strong,
Merchant, Leith. Born 1st September 1819. Died 14th January .1881, un-
married.
196 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
STEUTHERS, JAMES. 7th July 1807.
Apprentice to Thomas Adair. — Only son of John Struthers, Merchant in Strath-
aven. Born 1st July 1776. Died 3d February 1841. Mar. 12th November
1813, Marion, youngest daughter of James Carmichael, Douglas, Lanarkshire.
STUAET, ANDREW, of Craigthorn and Castlemilk. 10th August 1759.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Archibald Stuart of Torrence, Lanarkshire,
W.S.— Diei^ 18th May 1801. Mar. October 1790, Margaret, fourth daughter of
Sir William Stirling of Ardoch, Bart. Keeper of the Signet, 1777-79. Com-
missioner for Trade and Plantations, 1779. M.P. for Lanarkshire, 1777-84 ;
Weymouth, 1790-1801. Author of Genealogical History of ilu, Stewarts, 1798.
STUART, ARCHIBALD, of Torrence. 9th January 1723.
Apprentice to Hugh Somerville. — Seventh son of Alexander Stuart of Torrence,
Lanarkshire. Died November 1767. Mar. Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Andrew
Myreton, Bart., of Gogar, Mid-Lothian.
STUART, DAVID, of Duchra. ' 2d March 1804.
Apprentice to John Hunter of Doonholm. — Son of Andrew Stuart, Maltster in
Ayr. Died 11th March 1824.
STUAET, JAMES, Younger of Dunearn. 17th August 1798.
Apprentice to Hugh Robertson. — Eldest son of Dr. Charles Stuart, Physician
in Edinburgh. Born 1775. Died 3d November 1849. Mar. 29th April 1802,
Eleanor Maria Anna, only daughter of Dr. Robert Moubray of Cockairnie, Fife-
shire. In 1822, having killed Sir Alexander Boswell of Auchinleck in a duel,
he was tried for murder before the High Court of Justiciary, but was honour-
ably acquitted. Afterwards Editor of The Courier newspaper and Inspector of
Factories. Collector of Widows' Fund, 1818-28.
STUART, JOHN, of Castleton. 18th June 1802.
Apprentice to William Handyside. — Son of Dr. David Stuart, Physician in
Aberdeen. Died 8th April 1815. Mar. January 1800, Isabella Wright.
STUART, JOHN. 12th November 1868.
Apprentice to (1) Edmund Baxter ; and (2) Frederick Pitman. — Son of William
Stuart, Attorney in Exchequer. Born 15th August 1844. 3Iar. 28th September
1875, Jessie Warren, eldest daughter of E«v. Thomas Mitchell, Minister of
Oldhamstocks.
STUART, JOSEPH GORDON. 21st July 1875.
Apprentice to Robert L. Stuart and Harry Cheyne. — Son of Joseph Gordon
Stuart, Manufacturer, Balgonie, Fife. Bom 31st December 1849. Mar. 6th
June 1877, Moncrieff, only daughter of the Very Rev. Principal Leitch, Queen's
College, Kingston, Canada.
LIST OF MEMBEES 197
STUAKT, ROBERT LAIDLAW. 13th November 1856.
Apprentice to Henry Cheyne. — Youngest son of Alexander Stuart, Circuit Clerk
of Justiciary. Bm-n 16th February 1832. Mar. (1) 15th October 1861, Maria
Campbell Hill, daughter of Rev. George Anstey, Richmond, Surrey; and (2)
I2th December 1887, Marie Louise, only daughter of Thomas Treloar of
Plymouth. Circuit Clerk of Justiciary, 1863-69. Procurator-Fiscal for Mid-
Lothian, 1869.
STUART, WILLIAM. 10th March 1836.
Apprentice to Thomas Corrie and David Welsh. — Son of Robert Stuart, Deputy
Presenter of Signatures in Exchequer. Born 12th October 1810. Died 10th
April 1881. Mar. (1) 13th July 1830, Charlotte, youngest daughter of William
Douglas, Edinburgh ; (2) 21st June 1860, Isabella Rachel, youngest daughter of
John Scotland, W.S. ; and (3) 31st March 1864, Helen, daughter of Peter Scott,
Banker, and widow of John Erskine of Tenia w, Peeblesshire. Sheriff-Clerk of
Peeblesshire, 1843.
STURROCK, JAMES SILVESTER. 9th July 1883.
Apprentice to (1) J. 0. Mackenzie, W. R. and John Kermack ; and (2) John
Philp Wood. — Second son of Robert Sturrock, Banker, Dundee. Born 31st
October 1853. Mar. 8th August 1881, Josephine Lucy Florence, second daughter
of Lieutenant Benjamin Woolley, R.N.
SUTHERLAND, ALEXANDER GORDON. 19th November 1829.
Apprentice to Alexander Blair. — Son of Neil Sutherland, M.D., Aberdeen. Born
16th January 1804. Died 25th October 1869, unmarried.
SUTHERLAND, ALFRED. 12th April 1886.
Apprentice to Henry Tod.^ — Fifth son of George Sutherland of Forse, Caithness.
Born 4th February 1862. Mar. 26th August 1890, Helen Barbara, eldest
daughter of R. D. Crawford. 0L^XJ X ^ XW, / J^ $"*
SUTHERLAND, ANDREW, of Pitgradie. 6th December 1699.
Apprentice to Robert Watson. — Died before 1715. Mar. 24th October 1702,
Barbara, daughter of John Guthrie, W.S.
SUTHERLAND, JAMES CUBBISTON. 3d July 1820.
Apprentice to (1) A. L. Ramage and John Blair ; and (2) James Dundas. — Only
son of Arthur Sutherland, of the island of Jamaica.
SUTHERLAND, WILLIAM. 3d July 1828.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis. — Son of Josiah Sutherland, Merchant in Wick.
Died 12th October 1853, aged 53, unmarried.
SUTTIE, GEORGE 11th December 1699.
Apprentice to John Cunningham. — Lied March 1701.
198 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
SUTTIE, JOHN. 30th June 1741.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Second son of Sir James Suttie of Balgone, Bart.
Died 23d August 1764.
SWAN, JAMES. 8th July 1806.
Apprentice to Hamilton BelL — Son of George Swan, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 1841, aged 58. Mar. 27th April 1807, Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Bartlet,
Storekeeper, Edinburgh Castle, and widow of William Buchanan of Auchmar,
Stirlingshire.
SWAN, WILLIAM.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Died April 1623. Mar. 29th April 1604,
Marion Fithie.
SWINTON, AECHIBALD. 1st August 1788.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Sen. — Third son of John Swinton of Swinton,
one of the Senators of the College of Justice. B(yrn 1762. Died 2 2d April 1840,
unmarried. Eeporter of Cases before High Court of Justiciary, 1835-40.
SYDSEEFF, JOHN. 14th January 1634.
Apprentice to James Kinnear.
SYM, JAMES PITCAIEN. 24th January 1878.
Apprentice to (1) Eobert Dobbie Eoss ; and (2) John Eoss. — Son of William Sym,
residing in Edinburgh. Born 1st June 1853. Mar. 2d August 1883, Elizabeth
Leslie, only daughter of Eev. John Watt, Minister of Fetteresso.
SYM, EOBEET. 30th November 1775.
Apprentice to Eobert S3nne, his uncle. — Second son of Andrew Sym, Merchant
in Glasgow. Born 29th February 1752. Died 2d April 1845, unmarried.
SYME, JAMES GOEDON. 8th October 1883.
Apprentice to (1) Charles Morton and John Neilson; and (2) T. D. Brodie and
J. G. C. Brodie. — Son of James Syme, Merchant in Edinburgh. Bom 10th July
1854. Mar. 20th October 1887, Nellie, second daughter of Donald Macgregor
of Ardgartan, Argyllshire.
SYME, JOHN, OF Barncailzie. 31st January 1750.
Apprentice to Thomas Goldie.— Only son of Alexander Syme, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Died 6th June 1790. Mar. (2) Mary Eavenscroft.
SYME, JOHN, OF Cartmore. 10th July 1794.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson, Jun. — Eldest son of David Syme of Cartmore.
Died 19th June 1821. Mar. 20th October 1795, Barbara, daughter of James
Spottiswoode of Dunipace, Stirlingshire.
SYME, EOBEET. 4th August 1735.
Apprentice to Hew Crawford. — Third son of John Syme, Merchant in Glasgow.
Died 21st November 1780.
LIST OF MEMBEES 199
SYME, THOMAS. 23d June 1820.
Apprentice to Harry Davidson. — Son of James Syme of Northfield, East Lothian.
Born 5th November 1795. Died 28th November 1869, unmarried.
TAIT, ADAM DUNCAN. 15th July 1889.
Apprentice to John Kirk. — Son of the Rev. Walter Tait of St. Madoes. Born
20th December 1863.
TAIT, ALEXANDER. 9th July 1756.
Apprentice to (1) John Hay; and (2) George Balfour. — Son of Alexander Tait,
Merchant in Edinburgh. Died 8th July 1781. Mar. Janet, third daughter of
William Blair of that Ilk. Substitute-Keeper, 1744-62. Principal Clerk of
Session, 13th November 1760, till death.
TAIT, CRAUFURD, of Harvieston. 10th December 1789.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Tait of Harvieston, Clackmannanshire. — Born
1765. Died 2d May 1832. Mar. 17th June 1796, Susan, fourth daughter of
Sir Hay Campbell of Succoth, Bart., Lord President of the Court of Session.
Father of His Grace Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury.
TAIT, DAVID WARDLAW BROWN. 24th October 1879.
Apprentice to Sir John Gillespie and Thomas Paterson. — Son of James Tait of
Langrigg, Berwickshire, W.S. Bom 21st October 1855.
TAIT, JAMES, OF Langrigg. 14th November 1839.
Apprentice to George TumbuU. — Son of James Tait of Edenside, Kelso. Born
3d June 1816. Mar. 24th April 1849, Elizabeth Moir, daughter of James
Stormonth Darling of Lednathie, Forfarshire, W.S.
TAIT, JAMES. 17th November 1859.
Apprentice to John Gibson. — Second son of John Renny Tait, Baker in Edin-
burgh. Born 16th November 1836. Died about 1882, unmarried.
TAIT, JAMES CAMPBELL. 27th June 1823.
Apprentice to, and second son of, Craufurd Tait of Harvieston, W.S. — Born 1st
November 1798. Died 17th January 1879, unmarried.
TAIT, JOHN, OF Harvieston. 8th March 1763.
Apprentice to William Eraser of Ford.— Eldest son of Thomas Tait of Buthlaw,
Aberdeenshire. Died 11th March 1802. Mar. March 1764, Charles, daughter
of Thomas Murdoch of Cumloden, Kirkcudbrightshire.
TAIT, JOHN. 16th November 1781.
Apprentice to John Tait. — Son of George Tait, Tenant in Redbog. Died 29th
July 1817. Mar. 16th September 1782, Margaret, daughter of Peter Edgar of
Bridgelands, Mid-Lothian. Judge of Police, 1805-12.
200 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
TAIT, JOHN, OF Pirn. 7th July 1808.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Eldest son of William Tait of Pirn, Mid-
Lothian. Bom 1783. Died 12th December 1838. Mar. 23d March 1819, Harriet,
eldest daughter of Archibald Hepburn Mitchelson of Middleton, Mid-Lothian.
TAIT, JOHN, ieriius. 17th May 1811.
Apprentice to, and son of, John Tait, W.S.— J5ora 1786. Died 29th March 1832,
unmarried.
TAIT, JOHN CRAUFUED. 19th July 1855.
Apprentice to James Campbell Tait. — Eldest son of John Tait, Advocate, Sheriff
of Clackmannan and Kinross. Born. 31st August 1825. Mar. 7th December
1863, Maria Louisa Mann.
TAWSE, ANDEEW, of Nether Leaston. 22d June 1819.
Apprentice to Charles Tawse, his brother. — Youngest son of John Tawse, Writer
in Edinburgh. Born 22d October 1788. Died 13th July 1851. 3Iar. 28th March
1822, Margaret, fourth daughter of Alexander Bonar of Ratho, Mid-Lothian.
TAWSE, CHAELES. 7th July 1808.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Eldest son of John Tawse, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Born 1785. Died 22d October 1826. Mar. 16th September 1817,
Sarah Harriet, only daughter of John Connell of Carlisle.
TAWSE, JOHN, OF Nethek Lkaston. 13th November 1849.
Apprentice to Walter and John Cook. — Eldest son of Andrew Tawse of Nether
Leaston, East Lothian, W.S. Born 20th April 1824.
TAWSE, JOHN WARDROBE, of Stobshiel. 22d November 1838.
Apprentice to Andrew Tawse. — Eldest son of John Tawse of Stobshiel, East
Lothian, Advocate. Born 21st September 1813. Died 9th July 1887, unmarried.
TAYLOE, GEOEGE. 26th June 1832.
Apprentice to James Macdonell. — Son of Robert Taylor, Writer in Tain. Born
20th October 1808. Died 1st October 1864. Mar. 3d August 1841, Robina,
daughter of Alexander Smart of Cononsyth, Forfarshire.
TAYLOR, JAMES, of Pitcairlie. 9th June 1698.
Apprentice to John Cunningham. — Mar. 6th March 1701, Catherine, daughter of
John Menzies of Cammo, Mid-Lothian, Advocate.
TAYLOR, JAMES, of Pitcairlie. 4th August 1731.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Taylor of Pitcairlie, Fifeshire. — Resigned his
Commission, 5th August 1778. Died 1784. Mar. July 1751, Margaret Balfour,
relict of James Callander, Writer, Edinburgh.
TAYLOR, JAMES PRINGLE. 12th January 1885.
Apprentice to Donald Beith and Andrew Forrester. — Son of the Rev. James
Taylor, D.D. Born 6th September 1851. Mar. 11th February 1886, Annie,
youngest daughter of Charles Thornton, Leeds.
LIST OF MEMBERS i 801
TAYLOR, JOHN, of Blackhouse. " 20th July 177&.
Apprentice to Alexander Mackenzie. — Son of the Rev. William Taylor, Minister
of New Deer. Died 30th January 1810.
TAYLOR, WILLIAM. 5th March 1840.
Appi'entice to William Scott, W. C. Balderston, and John Scott— Son of Robert
Taylor of Broomlands. Bmi 28th July 1817. Died 2d July 1888, unmairied.
TENNENT, PATRICK. 23d May 1808.
Apprentice to Archibald Gibson. — Third son of Robert Tennent, Brewer in Glas-
gow. Born 1782. Died 18th December 1872. Mar. 27th April 1812, Margaret,
youngest daughter of Hugh Lyon of Wester Ogle, J'orfarshire.
THOMSON, ALEXANDER. 26th May 1818.
Apprentice to David Thomson and Robert Fleming. — Son of David Thomson,
W.S. Died October 1867. Mar. (1) 12th July 1819, Ann, eldest daughter of
Charles Hay, Edinburgh; and (2) 24th December 1832, Eliza, daughter of Robert
Burn, Architect in Edinburgh.
THOMSON, ANDREW, of Kinlooh. 2d June 1809.
Apprentice to Robert Hill.^ — Son of Andrew Thomson of Kinloch, Fifeshire.
Died at Saratoga, U.S.A., 19th August 1831. Mar. 20th February 1818, Barbara,
youngest daughter of James Hiuiter of Sea.side and Glencarse, Perthshire.
THOMSON, ANDREW. 23d June 1820.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Son of John Thomson of Priorletham, Fifeshire.
Died in Florida, 14th July 1841, aged 52, unmanned.
THOMSON, DAVID. 12th March 1788.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Son of Alexander Thomson, Accountant of Excise.
Died 28th Febraary 1837, aged 73. Mar.
THOMSON, DAVID, of Holkkettle and Orkie. 19th June 1812.
Apprentice to Robert Hill. — Son of John Thomson of Holekettle, Fifeshire. Born
1784. Died 12th January 1853. Mar. 25th May 1829, Lilias, eldest daughter
of Milner, Boghall.
THOMSON, EDWARD PETER. 20th October 1885.
Apprentice to Robert Russell Simpson. — Son of the Rev. Edward Anderson
Thomson, Minister of Free St. Stephen's Church, Edinburgh. Born 8th June
1861. Mar. 31st January 1889, Mary Lamond Haig, second daughter of William
Lindsay Christie, Assistant Keeper General Register of Sasines, Edinburgh.
THOMSON, FRANCIS. 16th August 1671.
Apprentice to William Thomson, his brother. — Son of William Thomson of
• • Augustoun.
420
202 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
THOMSON, GEORGE MONRO. 21st October 1874.
Apprentice to James Lindesay, Jun. — Son of the Rev. John Thomson, Minister
of Balmerino, Fife. Born 12th February 1851.
THOMSON, JAMES, of Bogie. 21st November 1777.
Apprentice to James Chalmers. — Son of John Thomson, Merchant in Cupar.
Died 25th October 1831, aged 82. Mar. 24th July 1809, Helen, daughter of
Patrick Moncrieff of Reidie, Fifeshire.
THOMSON, JOHN.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606, and the Acts 26th December 1627.
THOMSON, JOHN, of Charlton. 15th October 1706.
Apprentice to Robert Carstairs. — Difd December 1738. Mar. 28th January 1709,
Rachel, daughter of John Brymer of Edrom, Berwickshire.
THOMSON, THOMAS. 6th March 1834.
Apprentice to (1) Sir James Gibson-Craig; and (2) John Dundas and William
Wilson. — Son of John Thomson, Cashier of the Royal Bank, Edinburgh. Born
11th June 1807. Dkd 6th July 1877. Mar. 8th July 1851, Elizabeth, daughter
of Alexander Cleghorn, Inspector of Imports and Exports for Scotland.
THOMSON, WILLIAM. 29th June 1661.
Apprentice to Robert Alexander.— Son of William Thomson, Portioner of
Angustoun. Died March 1693. Mar. 7th November 1664, Margaret Young.
Lyon-Depute, 1666.
THOMSON, WILLIAM. 9th February 1681.
Apprentice to, and only son of, William Thomson, W.S. — Died 12th January
1708, aged 56. Mar. September 1698, Jean, daughter of John Mason, Merchant,
Edinburgh.
THOMSON, WILLIAM. 19th March 1888.
Apprentice to T. E. 0. Home, Thomas Home, and David Lyell. — Son of Andrew
Thomson of Mainhill, Roxburghshire. Born 19th May 1864.
THOMSON, WILLIAM GIBSON. 20th December 1827.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Craig. — Second son of John Thomson, Merchant
in Edinburgh. Died 25th January 1832, aged 28, unmarried.
THORBURN, KENNETH MACKENZIE. 18th June 1829.
Apprentice to Thomas Corrie and Thomas Welsh. — Son of the Rev. AYilliam
Thorburn, Minister of Traquair. Died 1852, aged 47, unmarried.
THORBURN, THOMAS. 5th July 1821.
Apprentice to John Russell. — Son of Thomas Thorburn, Tanner in Dumfries.
Born 1797. Died 30th July 1872. Mar. 7th May 1861, Margaret Johnston.
LIST OF MEMBEkS 20^
THRfiSHIE, DAVID SCOTT. 16th November 1819.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of Kobert Threshie of Earnbarroch, Writer in
Dumfries. Bam 1796. Died 18th November 1878. Mar. (1) 1816, Jean, eldest
daughter of John Crawford, Merchant in Leith ; (2) 9th Febniary 1829, Penelope
Gordon, widow of Patrick Duff of Carnousie; and (3) 6th June 1854, Eliza
Bird, youngest daughter of Charles Ray Martin, Bengal Civil Service.
TINNING, JOHN. 16th June 1796.
Apprentice to John Macnab. — Son of Francis Tinning, Tobacconist in Glasgow.
Died 15th December 1808.
TOD, ALEXANDER. 20th February 1834.
Apprentice to, and second sou of, John Tod, W.S. — Burn 23d June 1810. Died
8th November 1883, unmarried.
TOD, ARCHIBALD, of Drygrange. 3d July 1781.
Apprentice to, and eldest sou of, Thomas Tod, W.H.—Bom 31st May 1758. Died
20tli April 1816. Mar. 1st February 1802, Elizabeth, third daughter of Sir
James Pringle of Stichell, Bart.
TOD, GEORGE.
Mar. Margaret Porteriield, who died about 1635.
TOD, HENRY. 11th December 1823.
Apprentice to John Campbell, Jun. — Son of Henry Tod, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Died 31st October 1871, aged 73. Mar. 4th June 1832, Isabella, daughter of
James Blyth.
TOD, HENRY. 17th January 1861.
Apprentice to, and son of, Henry Tod, W'.ii.—Bont 19th March 1836. 3Iar. (1)
2d June 1869, Margaret, second daughter of Robert Walker, Hillside, Portlethen ;
and (2) 19th April 1877, Margaret Louisa, daughter of John Moir, M.D.,
Edinburgh.
TOD, HEW. ' '
Mentioned loth November 1633.
TOD, HUGH. 17th November 1814.
Apprentice to James Robertson. — Son of William Tod, Factor to the Duke of
Gordon. Born 1780. Died 3d October 1857, immarried.
TOD, JAMES, OF Deanston. 29th November 1820.
Apprentice to David Wemyss. — Son of James Tod, sometime Merchant at Bo'ness,
and afterwards at Hope Park, Edinburgh. Died 26th March 1858. Mar. 27th
July 1830, Susan, daughter of James Mercer of Scotsbank, Selkirkshire.
TOD, JOHN. 5th May 1796.
Apprentice to, and son of, Thomas Tod, W.S. — Boi-n 9th March 1773. Died
24th December 1856. Mar. 9th April 1808, Helen, daughter of Alexander Duff
of Hatton, Aberdeenshire.
204 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEKS TO THE SIGNET
TOD, JOHN ROBERT. 16th November 1837.
Apprentice to, and thiid son of, John Tod, W.S. — Bmn 14th February 1814.
Died 29th July 1856. Mar. 17th August 1841, Jemima, youngest daughter of
Richard Wharton Duflf of Orton, Elginshire.
TOD, JOHN WHARTON. 27th May 1869.
Apprentice to Thomas Graham Murray.— Only son of John Robert Tod, W.S.
Bom 10th April 1845. Mar. 5th October 1869, Margaret Mary, second daughter
of John Ord Mackenzie of Dolphinton, W.S.
TOD, THOMAS, of Drygrangk. 3d February 1755.
Apprentice to Samuel Mitchelson. — Second son of Archibald Tod, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Born 6th December 1726. Died 5th December 1800. Mar. November
1755, Jean, daughter of James Gartshore, W.S.
TOD, WILLIAM. 20th December 1821.
Apprentice to Roger Aytoun. — Second son of William Tod, Surgeon in Lanark.
Died 27th November 1866, aged 70, unmarried.
TRAIL, ANTHONY. 7th July 1829.
Apprentice to John Irving. — Son of Thomas Trail, Merchant in Montrose. Died
27th September 1866, aged 64. Mar.
TRAIL, JOHN, ARBUTHNOTT, of Woodwigk, LL.B. 14th November 1872.
Apprentice to Patrick Dalmahoy and John Cowan.- — Son of the Rev. Samuel
Trail, D.D., Minister of Harray and Birsay, afterwards Professor of Systematic
Theology in the University of Aberdeen. Born 23d June 1846.
TRAQUAIR, WILLIAM. 13th November 1834.
Apprentice to James Pedie. — Son of William Traquair, Builder in Edinburgh.
Bmn 1st May 1810.
TRAQUAIR, "WILLIAM. 27th June 1878.
Apprentice to William Traquair, his uncle. — Son of Ramsay Heatley Traquaij-,
Farmer at Colinton. Bm-n 23d November 1851. Mar. 11th June 1884, Cecilia
Ross, only daughter of William Munro of Marchbank, Mid-Lothian.
TROTTER, GEORGE.
Third son of Robert Trotter, of Catchelraw, lived to a great age, and died about
1640.
TROTTER, GEORGE. 3d January 1634.
Apprentice to John Leaiinonth. — Mar. Jean, daughter of Mr. William King,
Minister of Cramond.
TROTTER, JOHN. 10th March 1664.
Apprentice to George Trotter, his uncle. — Died May 1672.
LIST OF MEMBEKS ^ '"^^'' 206
TROTTER, ROBERT, of Castlelaw and The Bush. 8th August 1774.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Eldest son of Archibald Trotter, Merchant in Edin-
bui-gh. Died 3d July 1807. Mar. 1787, Ann, only daughter of John Trotter of
Castleshiels, Berwickshire. Postmaster of Scotland, 1802-7.
TROTTER, THOMAS. 26th June 1789.
Apprentice to David Steuart. — Fourth son of Thomas Trotter of Mortonhall,
Mid-Lothian. Died 26th April 1837.
TROTTER, THOMAS, ok Dewar. 18th December 1823.
Apprentice to William Bell. — Son of Young Trotter of Broomhouse, Berwickshire.
Died 16th December 1848, unmarried.
TURNBULL, DAVID. 24th February 1809.^
Apprentice to Roger Aytoun. — Fifth son of Patrick Turnbull, Fanner in Myles.
Boi-n 1781. Died 21st September 1854. Mar. 27th September 1813, Elizabeth,
daughter of John Logan of New Edrom, Berwickshire.
TURNBULL, DAVID. 19th July 1872.
Apprentice to Alexander Hamilton and George Thomas Kiunear. — Only son of
Patrick Turnbull, W.S. Bom 24th May 1847. Mar. 1st December 1871, Mary,
daughter of Allan Gilmour of Lundin and Montrave, Fifeshire.
TURNBULL, GEORGE, of Balglassie. 1st June 1696.
Apprentice to Henry Graham. — Di^d 11th January 1726. Mar. Catherine Garden.
TURNBULL, GEORGE, of Dalladies. 25th June 1733.
Apprentice to Harry Maule. — Died 30th April 1760. Mar. Jean .
TURNBULL, GEORGE, of Abbey St. Bathans. 8th February 1816.
Apprentice to John Renton.— Eldest son of John Turnbull of Abbey St. Bathans,
Berwickshire. Died 26th February 1855, aged 62. Mar. 15th August 1817,
Grace, youngest daughter of James Brunton of Lugton, Bridgend, Mid-Lothian.
TURNBULL, GEORGE GILLON. 15th July 1885.
Apprentice to John Turnbull, his uncle. — Eldest son of James Turnbull, W.S.
Born 6th September 1858.
TURNBULL, JAMES. 12th November 1857.
Apprentice to John Turnbull. — Second son of George Turnbull, W.S. Bom 12th
August 1828. Drowned off Aberdour 12th May 1887. Mar. (1) 17th November
1857, Mary Ann, youngest daughter of William Downe Gillon of Wallhouse,
Linlithgowshire; and (2) 29th January 1867, Jane, daughter of John Corse Scott
of Sinton, Roxburghshire.
TURNBULL, JOHN, of Abbey St. Bathans. 18th November 1841.
Apprentice to, and eldest son of, George Turnbull, W.S. — Born 3d March 1820.
206 THE SOCIETY OE WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
TURNBULL, PATRICK. 20th November 1845.
Apprentice to, and son of, David Turnbull, W.S. — Bam 14th August 1815. Mar.
28th July 1846, Martha, daughter of John Ord of Muirhouselaw.
TURNER, JOHN, of Turnerhall. 9th July 1824.
Apprentice to Francis Brodie and George Imlach. — Eldest son of Keith Turner of
Tvimerhall, Aberdeenshire. Bmii 22d July 1796. Died 2d August 1834. Mar.
23d September 1820, Elizabeth Helen, youngest daughter of Captain William
Urquhart, 30th Regiment.
TVVEEDIE, JOHN. 23d November 1795.
Apprentice to Andrew Hamilton. — Son of James Tweedie, Tenant in Dreva,
Peeblesshire. Died 18th March 1847, aged 80, unmarried. Keeper of the
Minute-Book of Court, 1830-47.
T5fNT0, JAMES. 18th May 1649.
Died April 1655. Mar. 15th August 1644, Catherine Dick.
TYRBET, OR TARBET, JOHN.
Mentioned 1606.
TYTLER, JAMES. 24th November 1774.
Apprentice to, and second son of, WilUam Tytler, W.S. — Died 20th July 1778.
TYTLER, JAMES, of Woodhouselee. 8th March 1803.
Apprentice to Richard Hotchkis.— Second son of Alexander Eraser Tytler of
Woodhouselee, Mid-Lothian, one of the Senators of the College of Justice. Borti
9th October 1780. Dieil 10th October 1862. Mar. 12th August 1810, Elizabeth,
daughter of Maurice Carmichael of Eastend, Lanarkshire. Lyon-Depute, 2d June
1827. Crown Agent, 1829-32, 1834-35, 1841-46, 1852-53.
TYTLER, JAMES STUART ERASER, of Woodhouselee, LL.D. 8th Nov. 1849.
Apprentice to, and eldest surviving son of, James Tytler of Woodhouselee, W.S.
—Barn 5th August 1820. Mar. 8th August 1850, Mary Elizabeth, only child of
Alexander Blair, Treasurer of Bank of Scotland. Professor of Conveyancing in
the University of Edinburgh, 28th May 1866.
TYTLER, JAMES WILLIAM ERASER. 27th July 1881.
Apprentice to A. Howe, J. S. Tytler, and W. Macgillivray. — Son of James Stuart
Eraser Tytler, W.S. Born 28th February 1854. Mar. 28th July 1883, Christian
Alice Scott, daughter of William Scott-Ken- of Sunluws, Roxburghshire.
TYTLER, WILLIAM, of Woodhouselee. 5th October 1742.
Apprentice to William Forbes. — Son of Alexander Tytler, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born 12th October 1711. Died 12th September 1792. Mar. 1745, Anne,
daughter of James Craig of Costerton and Dalnair, W.S. Treasurer, 1788-92.
Author of An Inquiry, Historical and Critical, into the Ecidencc produced hy the Earls
of Moray and Morton agaiiist Mary Queen of Scots, 1760, and other, works.
LIST OF MEMBERS 807
UEE, GEORGE INNES. 1st July 1822.
Apprentice to Alexander Dallas. — Second son of James Ure, Collector of Customs
at Alloa. Bwn 1796. Died 31st January 1843, unmarried.
URE, JAMES, OF Shirgartoun. 18th December 1701.
Apprentice to John Cuningham. — Son of James Ure of Shirgartoun, Perthshire,
a noted Covenanter. Died before 1743.
URE, MASTERTON. 2d July 1799.
Apprentice to J. A. Higgins.— Fourth son of the Rev. Robert Ure, Minister of
Airth. Died 1863, aged 87, unmarried. M.P. for Weymouth, 1813-32.
URMSTON, CHARLES HANSON. 18th March 1889.
Apprentice to Matthew M. Bell.— Son of Captain William Brabazon Urmston,
R.N. Bmi 1st May 1862.
URQUHART, H.
Signs the Acts 4th April 1607.
URQUHART, LEONARD. 14th July 1735.
Apprentice to Robert Dalrymple of Dreghom. — Died 7th December 1786.
URQUHART, WILLIAM. 19th December 1767.
Apprentice to, and son of, Leonard Urquhart, W.S. — Difd January 1783.
USHER, JOHN. 17th January 1822.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Eldest son of Thomas Usher, Farmer at Courthill,
Roxburghshire. Died 29th March 1864, aged 70, unmarried.
VEACHE, OR WAITCHE, HENRY.
Signs Acts 26th December 1627. Mar. 30th January 1628, Geilles Archibald.
VEITCH, GEORGE, of Ratho Bank. 21st December 1809.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Only son of George Veitch, Architect in Edin-
burgh. Born 1787. Died 16th October 1826. Mnr. 13th July 1811, Mary,
daughter of John Pitcaim of Pitcairns, Perthshire.
VEITCH, JOHN. 28th June 1827.
Apprentice to Thomas Richardson. — Third son of Henry Veitch of Eliock, one
of the Commissioners of H.M. Customs for Scotland. Bm-n 12th September 1802.
Died 12th March 1830, unmarried.
VEITCH, THOMAS LOUGHNAN. 11th July 1833.
Apprentice to Alexander Hunter. — Fourth son of Henry Veitch of Eliock, Dum-
friesshire. Born 29th July 1804. Di^d 6th February 1841, unmarried.
VEITCH, WILLIAM, of Eliock. 13th December 1723.
Apprentice to John Frank. — Son of Alexander Veitch of Lyne, Merchant and
Burgess of Peebles. Bom 2d January 1671. Died 25th October 1747. Mar.
Christian, daughter of Gavin Thomson, Provost of Peebles.
208 THE SOCIETY OF WKITEES TO THE SIGNET
WADDELL, ALEXANDER PEDDIE, of Balquhatston. 18th December 1856.
Apprentice to, and son of, James Peddie, W.S. — Born 19th August 1832. Mm:
6th September 1864, Georgina Catherine, eldest daughter of George Waddell,
W.S., of Balquhatston, Stirlingshire, whose name he assumed.
WADDELL, GEORGE, of Ballochnie and Balquhatston. 17th November 1815.
Apprentice to (1) John Tinning; and (2) J. A. Higgins. — Eldest son of George
Waddell of Ballochnie, Lanarkshire. Died 10th March 1850, aged 62. Mar. 1st
October 1844, Elizabeth Gaston, eldest sur\'iving daughter of John Brand
Ralston, of Glenellrigg, Stirlingshire.
WADDELL, WILLIAM, of Easter Moffat. 14th June 1814.
Apprentice to (1) John Tinning ; (2) Masterton Ure. — Youngest son of George
Waddell of Ballochnie. Bffrn 15th November 1788. Died 14th March 187G.
Mar. 19th August 1829, Margaret, eldest daughter of Archibald Campbell ol
Melfort, Argyllshire. Solicitor to Board of Ordnance.
WADDELL, AVILLIAM N. 10th February 1825.
Apprentice to John K. Campbell and Andrew Clason. — Son of James Waddell,
Writer in Edinburgh. Died 3d September 1834 aged 33, unmarried. Resident
Magistrate at Albany, Cape Colony.
WALKER, FRANCIS.
See Drummond, Sir Francis Walker.
WALKER, JAMES, of Dalry. 2d July 1771.
Apprentice to Thomas Tod. — Third son of Francis Walker of Mainshill, East
Lothian. Died 9th May 1817. Mat: (1) 13th July 1780, Jane Hay, third
daughter of Richard Newton of that Ilk ; and (2) 21st October 1797, Marion
Ann, daughter of Dr. Jolin Hope, Professor of Botany in the Univereity of Edin-
burgh. Principal Clerk of Session, 15th November 1803, till death.
WALKER, JAMES. 7th July 1824.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Only son of Alexander Walker, residing in Edinburgh.
Died 20th May 1881. Mar. 19th November 1838, Ann Sophia, daughter of
John Reade of Halbrooke House, Suffolk.
WALKER, JAMES. 25th June 1829.
Apprentice to Alexander Hunter. — Eldest son of James Walker, Captain in the
East India Company's Service. Died 8th February 1831.
WALKER, JOHN. 29th June 1838.
Apprentice to William Scott, G. L. Finlay, and W. C. Balderston. — Son of
William Walker, of Jamaica. Bom 12th November 1815. Died 27th October
1879. Mar. 9th June 1853, Margaret, daughter of Francis Maxwell of Gribton,
Dumfriesshire. .... . .
LIST OF MEMBEES 209
WALKER, ROBERT, of Wooden. 28th June 1787.
Apprentice to Alexander Keith. — Eldest son of Adam Walker of Wooden,
Roxburghshire. Died 18th July 1825. Mar.
WALKER, WILLIAM, of Daffmiln and Pitlair. 23d November 1795.
Apprentice to Alexander Abercromby. — Son of James Walker of Daffmiln, Fife-
shire. Died 10th June 1845, aged 80. Mar. 17th April 1798, Magdalen, eldest
daughter of the Rev. William Walker, Minister of Collcssie, Fifeshire.
WALLACE, ANDREW. 28th June 1736.
Apprentice to Robert FuUarton. — Died 10th October 1764. Mar. 26th November
1758, Janet, daughter of James Law of Brunton.
WALLACE, ARTHUR CHARLES. 24th October 1879.
Apprentice to W. J. Menzies and H. J. Coventry. — Son of George Wallace,
Solicitor in Fraserburgh. Bmii 18th May 1853. Died 5th January 1884,
immarried.
WALLACE, EBENEZER. 11th July 1832.
Apprentice to John Renton and Joseph Grant. — Son of James Wallace, Gimmaker
in Edinburgh. Bmi 9th April 1807. Died 31st July 1884. Mar. 2d December
1846, Isabella, youngest daughter of Ralph Hardie, Currie House, Borthwick.
WALLACE, EDWARD. 17th January 1683.
Apprentice to John Alexander. — Mar. 19th April 1682, Euphan Mure.
WALLACE, HUGH, of Inglistoun. 10th March 1664.
Apprentice to (1) John Rowan ; and (2) William Hunter. — Son of William Wallace
of Mainholm. Died 4th February 1724. Mar. (1) 4th August 1665, Margaret,
daughter of Scott of Bavelaw, Mid-Lothian; and (2) Mary Sym. Fiscal,
1671-78. Aid-Lieutenant of the College of Justice Company that proceeded
against rebels in the West. His Majesty's Cash-keeper. M.P. for Kirkcudbright
Stewartry, 1685-86; Kintore, 1689-93.
WALLACE, JAMES CLERK. 15th November 1838.
Apprentice to John and Wilb'am Home. — Son of Alexander Wallace of Auchin-
vole, Dumbartonshire. Bm-n 16th June 1813. Died 23d March 1881. Mar.
27th August 1839, Margaret Sommerville, third daughter of Marcus Smith,
Surgeon, 51st Regiment.
WALLACE, ROBERT.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627. Died 1660.
WALLACE, ROBERT, of Holmstone. 29th January 1701.
Apprentice to Robert Craufurd of Craufurdstoun. — Eldest son of John Wallace of
Holmstone, Ayrshire. Born 19th June 1670. Died 24th March 1762. Mar.
17th January 1693, Elizabeth, daughter of William Crichton, Sheriff-Depute of
Ayr. Commissary of Wigtown. Sheriff-Depute of Ayrshire, 1737.
2d
«« THE SOCIETY OE WEITERS TO THE SIGNET
WALLACE, EGBERT, of Sauciirie. 25th February 1723.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace of Holmstone. — Son of Robert Wallace of Cairnhill,
Ayrshire. Baptized 9th February 1693. Z)i«i February 1767. Jfan 4th April
1723, Anne, eldest daughter of Patrick Fullarton, younger of Fullarton, Ayr-
shire. Fiscal, 1729-32.
WALLACE, ROBERT PATERSON, of Holmstone. 30th August 1736.
Apprentice to Robert Wallace of Holmstone, his uncle. — Died 11th December
1779, aged 71. Mar. Elizabeth Houston.
WALLACE, ROBERT WALKER. 18th July 1877.
Apprentice to James Peddie and Alexander Peddie Waddell. — Son of Andrew
Wallace, Coalmaster, Dunfermline. Born 28th April 1853. Mar. 17th August
1881, Mary Parker, only daughter of Rev. J. T. Willoughby of Leamington.
WALLACE, THOMAS WATT. 21st July 1875.
Apprentice to Ebcnezer Wallace, his uncle. — Son of George Wallace, Merchant
in Leith. Born 19th December 1849.
WALLACE, WILLIAM. 8th December 1808.
Apprentice to Thomas Grierson. — Son of Captain Thomas Wallace of Newton,
Ayrshire. Dkd 22d February 1864, aged 79. Mar. 8th March 1824, Zelica
Cheshire, widow of Lieutenant Donald Grant.
WALTON, JOHN WILLIAM JACKSON. 11th April 1887.
Apprentice to George Dunlop. — Son of William Roger Walton, residing at
Murraybank House, Murrayfield. Bm-n 28th February 1863.
WAEDLAW, DAVID. 13th November 1856.
Apprentice to James Thomson Gibson-Craig. — Eldest son of David Brown
Wardlaw of Gogarmount, Mid-Lothian, H.E.I.C.S. Bom 15th June 1831.
WAEDLAW, JOHN.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Died before 1610.
WARDLAW, JOHN FLEMING. 11th December 1828.
Apprentice to WUliam Renny. — Son of David Wardlaw, Writer in Edinburgh.
Born 1806. Dkd 4th May 1871. Mar. 27th November 1832, Ann Macnab,
eldest daughter of Andrew Stevens, S.S.C. Was a Clergyman in Cumberland.
WARDEOP, JAMES CHARLES. 14th July 1879.
Apprentice to William Wilson.— Son of Maitland Wardrop, Architect in Edin-
burgh. Born 2d August 1854. Mar. 19th December 1884, Elizabeth Evelyn,
second daughter of J. T. Hopwood, M.P. of Ketton Hall, Rutland.
WAERENDEE, HUGH. 8th May 1798.
Apprentice to John Davidson. — Second son of George Warrender of Bruntsfield,
Edinburgh. Died 8th June 1820. Deputy-Keeper of the Signet, 1797-20.
Crown Agent, 1800-20.
LIST OF MEMBEES 211
WATKINS, JOHN. 23d January 1818.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Youngest son of Thomas Watkins, Merchant in
Linlithgow. Died 4th March 1858, aged 64. Mar. 23d March 1831, Isabella,
daughter of William Clark of East Woodside.
WATSON, ANDEEW, ov Bridgecastle. 30th January 1798.
Apprentice to (1) Kobert Donaldson ; and (2) Charles Young. — Only son of James
Watson of Bridgecastle, Writer in Linlithgow. Died 27th October 1837, aged 68.
Mar. 7th August 1809, Harriet, daughter of John Maxwell of Cardoness, Kirk-
cudbrightshire.
WATSON, ANDEEW, of Torsonce. 18th November 1858.
Apprentice to Adam Hay and Eobert Pringle. — Son of Hugh Watson, W.S., of
Torsonce, Mid-Lothian. Born 3d August 1830. Died 21st January 1867. Mar.
19th July 1853, Camilla Ottlie, daughter of Henry Bate, of Broomfield Place,
Ealing, Middlesex.
WATSON, DAVID, of Saughton. 1st June 1655.
Apprentice to Harry Osburn. — Treasurer, 1662-82. Died December 1685. Mar.
Isabel Keltic. Ee-admitted 15th February 1661.
WATSON, GEOEGE.
Died before 1660. Lyon-Clerk, 1630. Mar. Catherine Nisbet.
WATSON, GEOEGE. 25th June 1829.
Apprentice to James Greig. — Son of George Watson, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Bm-n 17th September 1807. Died 24th April 1889. Mar. 14th September 1837,
Ellen Mary, daughter of the Eev. Thomas Hattam Wilkin.sou, Clerk in Holy Orders.
WATSON, GILBEET. 17th August 1798.
Apprentice to James Hay and Thomas Manners. — Son of David Watson, Banker,
Glasgow. Died 1837.
WATSON, GEAHAM GILBEET. 18th April 1877.
Apprentice to C. Mackenzie, A. D. M. Black, and J. M. Mackenzie. — Fifth son of
James Watson, Manager of the Scottish Provident Institution. Born 20th
September 1854.
WATSON, HUGH, of Toesonck 19th November 1797.
Apprentice to Allan Macdougall. — Eldest son of Samuel Watson, Writer in Edin-
burgh. Died 3d November 1834, aged 62. Mar. (1) 19th April 1813, Mary
Crichton, daughter of James Kyle, Architect, Edinburgh ; and (2) 3d March 1825,
Elizabeth Andrevna, only daughter of Andrew Watson of Petrosavodsk, Eussia.
WATSON, JAMES. 26th November 1770.
Apprentice to Eobert Jamieson. — Son of John Watson, Writer in Edinburgh.
Bm-n 28th June 1747. Died 30th September 1805. Mar. (1) 25th March 1788,
Nicolas, daughter of Thomas Buchan of Auchmacoy, Aberdeenshire; and (2) 13th
June 1795, Isabella, daughter of Alexander Milne, Merchant in Leith.
■'■i.\
sit THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
WATSON, JAMES, of Inchyka. 10th December 1829.
Apprentice to Robert Eamsay. — Second son of James Watson, Merchant in
Dundee. Born 2d May 1805. Mar. 14th November 1838, Helen, eldest daughter
of John Guthrie, Banker, Brechin.
WATSON, JAMES STUART. 18th March 1889.
Apprentice to Henry Tod. — Son of the Rev. William Watson, U.P. Minister,
Forres. Bmn 1st May 1861.
WATSON, JOHN. February 1739.
Son of David Watson, Writer in Edinburgh. Died 5th November 1762. Mar.
November 1741, Isabel, daughter of David Mudie, Merchant in Montrose.
Substitute-Keeper, 1746-62. He mortified his means and estates to charitable
purposes, and from these funds the Institution in Edinburgh called by his name
was erected and endowed.
WATSON, ROBERT. 5th January 1678.
Apprentice to William Chieslie. — Died November 1699. Mar. Margaret Peebles.
Keeper of the Signet, 20th February 1699.
WATSON, THOMAS. 7th January 1734.
Apprentice to (1) John Inglis; and (2) John Stewart. — Died 14th January 1751.
WATSON, THOMAS WILLIAM. 14th July 1890.
Apprentice to C. B. Logan, J. W. Moncreiff, and G. G. Soote. — Son of John
Watson of Eamock. Bom 31st October 1864.
WATSON, WILLLAM, of Pilmuir. 3d December 1729.
Apprentice to (1) John Inglis; and (2) John Lumsdaine. — Died 18th October
1758. Mar. Isabella Robertson.
WATSON, WILLIAM. 10th July 1820.
Apprentice to Andrew Storie. — Son of William Watson, Farmer at Liberton
Mains. Born 1795. Died 12th May 1887. Mar. 22d September 1830, Marion,
daughter of John Weir. Sheriff-Substitute at Aberdeen, 1829-66.
WATT, ADAM. 27th May 1629.
Apprentice to David Anderson. — Died about 1664.
WATT, GEORGE 24th February 1825.
Apprentice to John and Alexander Smith. — Onlj' son of George Watt of Old
Deer. Died 6th September 1832, aged 31, unmarried.
WAUCHOPE, ANDREW. 14th November 1839.
Apprentice to Andrew Smith. — Eldest son of George Wauchope, Wine Merchant
in Leith. Bm-n 20th May 1817. Mar. 24th April 1844, Anne Montagu Scott,
daughter of John Boyd of Broadmeadows, Selkirkshire.
??.
LIST OF MEMBEKS T 2.1&
WAUCHOPE, JOHN. 24th June 1774.
Apprentice to John Mackenzie of Delvine. — Youngest son of Andrew Wauchope
of Niddry, Mid-Lothian. Born 1751. Died 10th February 1828. Mar. Ann
Cockbum, daughter of Colonel Charles Craigie Halkett, of the Dutch Service.
WAUCHOPE, PATRICK HAMILTON DON. 29th October 1888.
Apprentice to George Dalziel. — Third son of Sir John Don Wauchope, Bart., of
Edmonstone, Mid-Lothian. Bm-n 1st May 1863.
WAUGH, JOHN JAMES, B.L. 28th October 1889.
Apprentice to J. O. Mackenzie, H. Cheyne, and John Kermack. — Son of Robert
Somerville Waugh, Edinburgh. Born 4th March 1864.
^VEBSTER, FRANCIS. 18th November 1830.
Apprentice to Messrs. Campbell and Arnott. — Sixth son of the Rev. John Webster,
Minister of Inverarity. Bm-n 4th November 1804. Died 12th September 1888.
Mar. 27th November 1833, Jane, daughter of Captain E H. Adams, 55th Regiment.
WEBSTER, GEORGE. 29th November 1821.
Apprentice to John A. Campbell. — Son of the Rev. John Webster, Minister of
Inverarity. Boi-n 28th March 1800. Died 19th August 1882. Mar. 20th
September 1836, Margaret Isabella, daughter of Alexander M'Callum of Hanover.
Jamaica. Sheriff-Clerk at Forfar, 1854-82.
WEDDERBURN, GEORGE. 30th January 1840.
Apprentice to Walter Cook. — Second son of Right Hon. James Wedderburn,
Solicitor-General for Scotland. Born 25th March 1817. Died 1st May 1865,
unmarried.
WEDDERBURN, JOSEPH ROBERT MACLAGAN. 18th October 1876.
Apprentice to Robert Craigie Bell. — Son of the Rev. James Maclagan, D.D.,
Professor of Divinity in the Free Church College, Aberdeen, and Mrs. K. Maclagan
Wedderburn of Pearsie, Forfarshire. Born 16th October 1850.
WEIR, JAMES. 9th May 1668.
Apprentice to John Semple. — Son of James Weir, Teuementar Burgess of
Hamilton. Died 1687. Mar. December 1671, Marjory Barclay.
WEIR, MATTHEW. 9th July 1816.
Apprentice to William Inglis. — Eldest son of James Weir, Baker in Leith. Dud
27th August 1856, aged 68. Mar. Nth March 1823, Janet, eldest daughter of
William Spottiswoode, Claywhat, Perthshire. >\ .-^11
WEIR, THOMAS. 9th July 1818.
Apprentice to John Miuray. — Second son of Thomas Weir, Writer in Edinburgh.
Dkd 2d June 1849, aged 57. Mar. 13th December 1822, Lilias Gray, second
daughter of John Orr, Edinburgh.
«t4 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
WELSH, DAVID, of Collin. 31st Jauuary 1812.
Apprentice to James Gilchrist. — Son of Kobert Welsh of Collin, Kirkcudbright-
shire. Died 23d May 1857, aged 68. Mar. 20th February 1824, Margaret,
daughter of Colonel Andrew Koss, 21st Eegiment.
WELSH, HENEY. 29th June 1786.
Apprentice to John Syme. — Son of John Welsh, Tenant in Morton Mains. Died
1821.
WELSH, JOHN. 3d July 1770.
Apprentice to Andrew Stuart.— Only son of James Welsh, Goldsmith in Edin-
burgh. Mar. 23d April 1772, Primrose, only daughter of Woodroff Gascoigne.
Eesigned his Commission 13th June 1779.
WELSH, JOHN. 16th November 1812.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Third son of William Welsh of Mossfennan,
Peeblesshire. DM 5th June 1843, aged 57, unmarried. Sheriff-Clerk of
Peeblesshire, 1820-43.
WEMYSS, DAVID, of Pitkenny. 21st June 1787.
Apprentice to James Walker. — Second son of Alexander Wemyss of Pitkenny.
Physician in Kirkcaldy. Died 14th May 1839. Mar. 25th October 1799, Agnes,
daughter of James Lindsay, Merchant in Leith.
WEMYSS, DAVID. 26th January 1854.
Apprentice to J. M. Melville, J. F. Walker Drummond, and James Lindesay. —
Second son of James Wemyss of Wemyss Hall, Fifeshire. Bom 1st January
1830. Mar. 10th August 1859, Marie, daughter of Colonel De Waldisch, Schaff-
hausen, Switzerland.
WEMYSS, Sir JAMES, of Bogie, Bart. 23d May 1820.
Apprentice to Eobert Jamieson. — Eldest son of the Eev. James Wemyss, Minister
of Burntisland. Bom 11^2. />?«(<? 31st December 1849, unmarried. Succeeded
his kinsman as 4th Bart. Depute-Cerk of Session, 16th January 1844 till death.
WEMYSS, WILLIAM. 8th March 1763.
Apprentice to (1) Andrew Hay ; and (2) Eobert Grant. — Eldest son of John
Wemyss, Tacksman of Mains of Aberdour. Died 29th April 1802. Mar. Eobina,
daughter of James Hamilton of Olivestob, East^Lothian.
AVHIGHAM, DAVID, of Cornlee. 22d November 1827.
Apprentice to Alexander Goldie. — Son of Eobert Whigham of Hallidayhiil,
Dumfriesshire. Born 1803. Died 16th October 1882, unmarried.
WHIGHAM, GEOEGE, of Hallidayhill. 20th January 1825.
Apprentice to James Little. — Eldest son of Eobert Whigham of Hallidayhill,
Dumfriesshire. Died 9th January 1842, aged 51. Mar. 5th August 1816, Jane,
daughter of Eobert Anderson, Strawquhan, Dumfriesshire.
LIST OF MEMBEES 215
WHITE, ANDKEW. Uth January 1889.
Apprentice to Hew Hamilton Crichton. — Son of Andrew White, Solicitor, Cum-
nock. £mi 10th March 1865.
WHITE, JOHN. 22d February 1813.
Apprentice to John Mowbray. — Son of Gilbert White, Tailor in Edinburgh.
Died 25th April 1820, aged 34.
WHITE, ROBERT. 13th December 1827.
Apprentice to William Young. — Son of Adam White, Merchant in Leith. Bmn
16th August 1802. Died 9th June 1886. Mar. 3d June 1852, Anne Reid,
daughter of Thomas Macmillan Fogo, M.D. Author of Treatise on the Knowledge
Necessary to Amateurs in Pictures, translated from the French 1845, and other works.
WHYT, BAIN. 10th March 1789.
Apprentice to Robert Jamieson. — Son of John Whyt, Maltster in Halkirk,
Caithness. Died 26th December 1818, aged 71.
WHYTE OR QUHYTE, ANTHONY.
Commissioner, 8th November 1609. Brother of Robert Whyte of Dowald. Died
August 1634. Mar. 7th September 1613, Katherine Kinloch. Clerk to the
Incorporations of Chirurgeons. Writer to the Prince, March 1620.
WIGHT, ALEXANDER. 4th July 1783.
Apprentice to James Chalmers. — Son of James Wight, Farmer, Duncrahill, East
Lothian. Died 22d February 1829. Mar. (1) Jane, daughter of William
M'Onochie, Wright in Edinburgh; and (2) 22d September 1826, Catherine,
second daughter of Sir James Campbell of Aberuchill, Bart.
WIGHT, DAVID. 2d July 1829.
Apijrentice to Charles Campbell Stewart. — Second son of David Wight of
Ormiston. Died 15th June 1860, unmarried.
WIGHT, JOHN. 9th July 1819.
Apprentice to (1) John Dundas; and (2) Hugh James RoUo. — Son of Claud
Wight, of the Customs, Leith. Die(? 14th May 1836, aged 43. Mar.
WIGHTMAN, JAIVIES CULLEN SETON. 21st July 1875.
Apprentice to John M. Liudesay and Alexander Howe. — Son of James Seton
Wightman of Courance, Dumfriesshire. Born 6th December 1850. Died 10th
March 1883, unmarried.
WILKIE, GEORGE, of Buidgerheugh. 7th March 1705.
Apprentice to John Wilkie, his brother. — Mar. 12th November 1708, Jean,
daughter of Thomas Rutherford of that Ilk.
WILKIE, JAMES. 26th November 1829,
Apprentice to Alexander Pearson. — Son of John Wilkie, residing at Tannadice,
Forfarshire. Died 6th April 1834, aged 40, unmarried.
216 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
WILKIE, JOHN. 12th June 1637.
Apprentice to Alexander Douglas. — Be-admitted 21st November 1661.
WILKIE, JOHN. 12th June 1693.
Apprentice to George Dallas. — I>ied 26th May 1704, aged 34.
WILLIAMS, Rev. HAMILTON JOHN. 5th June 1823.
Apprentice to James and Donald Home. — Son of Robert WilUams of Ceme
Abbas, Dorset. Born 1797. Died 13th December 1879. Mar. Margaret,
daughter of Thomas Taunton of Wrackleford, Dorset. Vicar of Buckland
Dinham, Somerset.
WILLIAMSON, DAVID. 10th March 1803.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston. — Son of George Williamson, Messenger in
Edinburgh. Died 1833.
WILLIAMSON, DAVID. 29th May 1828.
Apprentice to Thomas Corrie and David Welsh. — Only son of Thomas
Williamson, Writer in Dumfries. Born 1805. Died 21st July 1843, unmarried.
WILIJAMSON, ROBERT. 1609.
WILLIAMSON, THOMAS. 1st December 1683.
Apprentice to John Alexander, Sen. — Died about 1696. Mar. Jean Young.
WILSON, CHARLES. 21st November 1867.
Apprentice to Charles Morton. — Son of John Wilson, Farmer at Tochineal,
Banffshire, Factor for the Earl of Seafield. Born 7th March 1842.
WILSON, DAVID. 28th June 1821.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Ci-aig. — Second son of John Wilson of Transy,
Fifeshire. Died 31st May 1830.
WILSON, FRANCIS of Croglin. 6th December 1804.
Apprentice to Sir Henry Jardine.— Son of Ebenezer Wilson, Bookseller in
Dumfriesshire. Bom 1779. Died 15th March 1831. Mar. Janet Dove.
WILSON, HENRY.
Son of Robert Wilson, of the city of Dieppe, sometime Merchant in Edinburgh,
deprived 27th October 1609, for not keeping an " open buith."
WILSON, BUTTON. 27th June 1839.
Apprentice to James Hope, Jun.— Son of James Wilson, residing in Edinburgh.
Bom 25th June 1815. Died 8th July 1854, unmarried. Depute SherifiF-Clerk of
Mid-Lothian, 1843-54.
WILSON, JAMES.
Signs the Acts 26th December 1627. Mar. Janet Coupar.
LIST or MEMBEES 217
WILSON, JAMES. 1st July 1825.
Apprentice to William Patrick. — Son of John Wilson, Vintner in Beith. Died
16th December 1836, aged 39, unmarried.
WILSON, JAMES. 14th November 1833.
Apprentice to William Kenny. — Son of James Wilson, Sherifif-Clerk of Mid-
Lothian. Bom 16th August 1809. Died 10th June 1866, unmarried.
WILSON, JOHN COLIN. 23d May 1820.
Apprentice to Thomas Cranston and George Veitch. — Second son of the Rev.
John Wilson, Minister of Lesmahagow. Died 27th December 1837, aged 42.
Mar. 29th May 1822, Jane Ewart, daughter of Thomas Peat, W.S.
WILSON, PATRICK. 5th January 1654.
WILSON, PATRICK. 18th December 1834.-
Apprentice to William Young. — Son of Robert Wilson of Bowfield. Born 6th
December 1809. Died 3d June 1885, unmarried.
WILSON, PETER. 21st May 1829.
Apprentice to Donald Home. — Son of William Wilson, Banker in Thurso. Died
11th May 1852, aged 46, unmarried. Commissary Clerk of Caithness, 1839-52.
WILSON, ROBERT SYM. 8th February 1816.
Apprentice to John Terrier. — Fourth son of John Wilson, Merchant in Paisley.
Bom 6th March 1792. Died 7th May 1868. Mar. 26th May 1813, Eliza,
daughter of James Penny of AiTad, Lancashire, Merchant, Liverpool.
WILSON, THOMAS. 19th July 1872.
Apprentice to James Hope and Robert Mackay. — Bom 30th October 1835. Died
7th June 1878. Mar. 23d June 1864, Margaret Eweu.
WILSON, WILLIAM. 2d October 1697.
Apprentice to James Henderson. — Born 1667. Died 16th January 1727. Mar.
29th August 1706, Jean, second daughter of James Crokat, Merchant, Edinburgh.
WILSON, WILLIAM, of Howden. 15th January 1739.
Apprentice to Alexander Hay. — Eldest son of John Wilson, Bachelor of
Humanity in Edinburgh. Died 18th June 1787, aged 77. Mar. (1) 3d January
1732, Mary Campbell; and (2) 24th June 1757, Margaret, daughter of Thomas
Young, Merchant in Edinburgh.
WILSON, WILLIAM. 12th July 1779.
Apprentice to William Wilson. — Only son of Alexander Wilson, Hosier in
Glasgow. Died 1st March 1783.
2 K
218 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET
WILSON, WILLIAM. 1st July 1808.
Apprentice to, and third son of, William Wilson of Howden, W.S. — Born 22d
September 1767. Died 5th July 1821. Mar. 2d August 1803, Cecilia, daughter
of John Gardiner, Merchant in London.
WILSON, WILLIAM. 20th December 1827.
Apprentice to (1) Ralph James Dundas ; and (2) James Dundas. — Eldest son of
William Wilson, W.S. Bffrn 9th December 1805. Died 8th July 1880. Mar.
(1) 4th June 1845, Louisa, daughter of Cohn Mackenzie of Portmore; and (2)
23d November 1876, Caroline, daughter of John Dundas, W.S. Deputy-Keeper
of the Great Seal, 1846-52.
WILSON, WILLIAM BOLDEN. 12th January 1885.
Apprentice to William Wilson, his uncle, and Ralph Dundas. — Son of Admiral
Thomas WDson, C.B. Bom 22d October 1860.
WINCHESTER, WILLIAM GRANT LUMSDEN. 10th May 1879.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of James Webster Winchester, LL.D.,
Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals, Bombay Army. Born 31st January
1855. Clerk to the Admission of Notaries, 1888.
WISH ART, ANDREW, LL.B. 12th April 1887.
Apprentice to John Patrick Wright.^ — Son of John Wishart, Manager, Grange
Distillery, Burntisland. Born 25th August 1859.
WISHART, ARCHIBALD. 13th November 1817.
Apprentice to Robert Dundas. — Son of William Thomas Wishart of Foxhall.
Born 1786. Died 7th August 1853. Mar. 14th July 1836, Brodie Gordon,
daughter of Rev. Dr, James Simmie, Minister of Rothiemay. Deputy-Keeper of
the Register of Sasines.
WISHART, PATRICK, of Foxhall. 9th July 1802.
Apprentice to James Balfour. — Fourth son of William Thomas Wishart of
Foxhall, Linlithgowshire. Bcrrn 25th June 1776. Died 26th November 1831.
Mar. 23d March 1807, Margaret, second daughter of Alexander Robertson of
Prenderguest, Berwickshire.
WOOD, Sir ALEXANDER, K.C.M.G. 8th March 1796.
Apprentice to John Wauchope. — Second son of Alexander Wood, Surgeon in
Edinburgh. Died 18th March 1847. Mar. Christian, eldest daughter of Sir
William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart. Secretary, Ionian Islands.
WOOD, ALEXANDER. 30th November 1850. N
Apprentice to Anderson an 1 Trotter. — Son of Alexander Wood, Advocate. Bom
25th May 1821. Died Slst May 1852, unmarried.
LIST OF MEMBERS «1»
WOOD, ARTHUR BENJAMIN CART WRIGHT. 13th April 1885.
Apprentice to Donald Beith and Andrew Forrester. — Son of Thomas Wood,
sometime Provost of Portobello. Born 24th June 1860.
WOOD, GEORGE JOHN. 18th April 1877.
Apprentice to T. G. Murray and J. A. Jamieson. — Fourth son of Andrew Wood,
M.D., LL.D., Edinburgh. Bffm 9th September 1853. Mar. 21st July 1887,
Mary Balfour, eldest surviving daughter of William Robertson of Auchinroath,
Elginshire, and granddaughter of the Hon. Lord Ardmillan.
WOOD, JOHN GEORGE. 5th March 1829.
Apprentice to John Tod. — Eldest son of John Philip Wood, Auditor of Excise,
Edinburgh. Born 5th April 1804. Died 14th September 1865. Mar. 16th
October 1846, Margaret, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George Cadell, H.E.I.C.S.
WOOD, JOHN PHILIP. 29th June 1871.
Apprentice to Patrick Dalmahoy and John Cowan. — Eldest son of John George
Wood, W.S. Bm-n 12th September 1847. Mar. 12th April 1882, Margaret
Ellinor, daughter of Hugh Lyon Tennent, Advocate.
WOODMAN, JAMES LINNING. 21st November 1833.
Apprentice to Michael Linning. — Eldest son of Dr. James Woodman, Physician
at Bognor, Sussex. Bom 27th September 1811. Died 1st February 1856.
Mar. 1st March 1854, Ursilla Katherine, eldest daughter of William Bruce of
Symbister, Shetland.
WORDSWORTH, SAMUEL. 5th March 1829.
Apprentice to (1) Archibald Crawford ; and (2) Peter Couper. — Son of Samuel
Wordsworth, residing in Nottingham. Died 24th November 1855, aged 50. Mar.
21st November 1844, Frances, third daughter of Robert Young, G.P.O.
WORMALD, JOSEPH DAWSON. 5t!i June 1862.
Apprentice to John Hope.— ^ww 4th March 1830. Died 29th March 1883.
Mar. Mary Anderson. Struck off list of Society 21st June 1876.
WOTHERSPOON, JOHN. 23d November 1827.
Apprentice to John M'Kean and James A. Cheyne.— Son of William Wotherspoon,
Accountant in Edinburgh. Died 1852, aged 51, unmarried.
WOTHERSPOON, ROBERT ALEXANDER. 13th March 1849.
Apprentice to Andrew Hill. — Son of William Wotherspoon of Hillside, S.S.C.
Bm-n 1826. Died 11th April 1851, unmarried.
WRIGHT, JAMES. 7th July 1807.
Apprentice to Sir James Gibson-Craig. — Eldest son of Rev. John Wright,.
Minister of Scone. Died 21st March 1864, aged 81, unmarried.
««0 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
WEIGHT, JOHN. 15th June 1837.
Apprentice to James Wright. — Eldest son of the Eev. George Wright, Minister
of Kingsbarns. Born 26th September 1814. Died 2(i November 1888. Mar.
17th October 1865, Jane, second daughter of John Eutherford Greig of Lethangie,
Kinross-shire.
WEIGHT, JOHN PATEICK. 24th March 1873.
Apprentice to John Dundas and William Wilson. — Son of James Wright,
Secretary, Eoyal Bank of Scotland. Born 6th October 1846. Mar. 4th June
1872, Anna, only daughter of Bethune James Walker Morison of Falfield, Fifeshire.
WEIGHT, EOBEET. 22d November 1832.
Apin-entice to William Young. — Son of John Wright, Builder in Edinburgh.
Born 14th February 1807. Died 15th August 1846, unmarried.
WEIGHT, THOMAS GUTHEIE. 23d November 1802.
Apprentice to Eichard Hotchkis. — ^Youngest son of Charles Wright, Bookseller
in Edinburgh. Died at Paris 1st September 1849, aged 72. Mar. 22d March
1809, Mary, youngest daughter of Professor John Hill, University of Edin-
burgh. Auditor of Court of Session, 1806-49.
WYLD, EOBEET STODAET, of Gilston, LL.D. 12th December 1833.
Apprentice to Adam Gib Ellis. — Eldest son of James Wyld of Gilston, Merchant
in Leith. Bom 16th April 1808. Mar. (1) 9th October 1838, Isabella Georgina,
daughter of Lieutenant- Colonel Maxwell, of the Belgic Service; and (2) 1st
November 1844, Margaret, third daughter of Walter Gibson Cassels, Edinburgh.
Author of The Philosophy of the Senses and other works.
WYLIE, ALEXANDER 21st February 1856.
Apprentice to William Waddell. — Fourth son of William Wylie, residing at
Paparthills, Shotts, Lanarkshire. Born 1st January 1828. Mar. 25th September
1866, Janet, eldest daughter of Patrick Jamieson, Merchant in Edinburgh.
WYLIE, DAVID.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Mar. Mariota, daughter of Eichard Colville,
Burgess of Edinburgh.
WYLIE, JAMES, of Annatfield. 22d November 1799.
Apprentice to Thomas Grierson. — Only son of James Wylie of Cockrigg, Mid-
Lothian. Died 20th April 1831. Mar. 21st July 1812, Elizabeth, youngest
daughter of William Macfarlane, W.S.
WYLIE, WILLIAM.
Signs the Minute of 16th December 1594. Died before 1621.
WYNEAM, GEOEGE, of Overgogak.
Son of Eobert Wynram of Overgogar. Eetoured heir .to his father, 1610.
LIST OF MEMBERS 221
WYNRAM, OR WINRAHAM, JAMES. 1st April 1684.
Apprentice to James Hay. — Mar. Agnes Auchinleck. Sheriflf-Clerk at Duns, 1692.
WYNRAM, ROBERT.
Died 15th January 1628. Mar. 24th December 1612, Maria, daughter of William
Kellie, W.S.
WYNRAME, JAMES.
Signs Minute of 17th January 1606. Mar. Janet Swinton. Keeper of the Signet
before 1616.
YEAMAN, ALEXANDER. 15th July 1885.
Apprentice to Alexander Howe, James S. Tytler, and William Macgillivray. —
Son of John Yeaman, Junior, Forfar. Bmn 2d March 1852. Mar. 12th October
1882, Susan Christina Ursula, daughter of Colonel John W. Auld, H.ELC.S.
YORSTOUN, WILLIAM GRIERSON, of Garroch. 16th May 1815.
Apprentice to James Hope. — Son of Thomas Grierson of Garroch, Kirkcudbright-
shire. Died 23d June 1851, aged 62. Mar. 1st August 1844, Emma, only
daughter of William Parker of Sunderland.
YOUNG, ALEXANDER, of Harburn. 7th March 1786.
Apprentice to Alexander Orr, his uncle.— Only son of Rev. William Young,
Minister of Hutton. Bmn June 1759. Died 3d December 1842. Mar. 6th May
1789, Sophia, third daughter of William Bell of Guernsey.
YOUNG, ALEXANDER KETTLE. 4th July 1809.
Apprentice to James Laidlaw. — Second son of the Rev. Thomas Kettle, Minister
of Leuchars. Bled, 30th August 1841, aged 59. Mar. 15th July 1833, Agnes,
daughter of Henry Barrie, Farmer. Assumed the name . of Young by royal
Ucence 30th December 1834.
YOUNG, ANDREW, of Eastfield. 10th April 1661.
Apprentice to Richard Guthrie. — Died before 1690. Mar. 28th April 1658,
Euphan Yoole. Clerk to the Incorporation of Chirurgeons. Treasurer, 1682-86.
YOUNG, CHARLES. 1st July 1790.
Apprentice to Alexander Mackenzie. — Son of Francis Young, Acting Collector of
Excise at Haddington. Died 18th January 1802.
YOUNG, EBENEZER DENHOLM. 11th January 1887.
Apprentice to Charles Baxter. — Son of Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Denholm
Young, H.E.I.C.S. Bmn 21st August 1857. Mar. 20th December 1888, Jessie,
second daughter of David Woodburn, M.D., Camlarg, Dalmellington.
YOUNG, JAMES. 16th July 1888.
Apprentice to James H. Jameson. ^.Bwn 8th July 1856. Mar. 26th July 1883,
Margaret Welsh, only daughter of John Tumbull, Merchant, Edinburgh.
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
YOUNG, JOHN, OF Harperdean.
Commissioner, 16tli December 1594. Brother of Thomas Young of Leny, Mid-
Lothian. Town-Clerk of Edinburgh.
YOUNG, JOHN. 21st December 1786. .
Apprentice to Alexander Orme. — Eldest son of the Eev. Thomas Young, Minister
of Cupar-Fife. IXed 1828.
YOUNG, JOHN WILLIAM. 22d July 1868.
Apprentice to (1) William Young; and (2) Laurence Davidson. — Son of William
Young, W.S. Bom 2d April 1836.
YOUNG, ROBEKT HUNTER. 9th March 1843.
Apprentice to Walter Duthie. — Fourth son of David Young of Cornhill, Aber-
deen. Born 24th August 1820. Died 1st December 1851. Mar. 4th March
1845, Isabella Sophia, only daughter of Ewan Evely Arthur, Merchant in London.
YOUNG, THOMAS, of Cammo.
Commissioner, 16th December 1594. Died before 1635. Mar. Isobel Bannatyne.
YOUNG, THOMAS, of Leny.
Died about 1654. Mar. Margaret, daughter of James Primrose, Clerk to the
Privy Council.
YOUNG, WILLIAM. 17th June 1816.
Apprentice to John Tweedie. — Second son of Archibald Young, Surgeon in
Glasgow. Died 22d April 1855, aged 59. Mar. 21st January 1820, Agnes, only
daughter of James Gerard of Whitehaugh.
YOUNG, WILLIAM.
See Herries, William Young.
YOUNGSON, ALEXANDER. 20th May 1794.
Apprentice to John Taylor. — Son of Rev. Andrew Youngson, Minister of Aber-
dour. Born 1767. Died 24th February 1849.
YULE, JOHN. 26th May 1818.
Apprentice to Alexander Duncan. — Second son of John Yule, Baker in Edin-
burgh. Died 15th May 1851, aged 67. Mar. 11th June 1822, J. Morrison, fifth
daughter of Robert Brown, Westbarns, East Lothian.
YULE, JOHN. 6th March 1845.
Apprentice to John Yule. — Eldest son of George Yule, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Bom 18th March 1818. Died 17th April 1861, unmarried.
LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS
LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS
THE LORD SECRETAEIES AND KEEPERS OF THE SIGNET
1363-1365.
1370
1388
1392-1400.
1402-1404.
1405
1423
1425
1426
1427
1439-1440.
1441
1444-1448.
1449-1452.
1453
1456-1458.
1458-1459.
1459-1462.
1463-1493.
1493-1503.
1507-1517.
1517
1525-1526.
1526-1542.
1542. Jan.
1542. Feb.
1542
1558. Dec.
1573
1583
1591. Apr.
1596. May
1598. Jan.
2.
4.
Walter, of Wardlaw, .
John Lyon,
Duncan Petit,
Reginald, of Crawford,
Walter Forster, .
John of Crawford,
Patrick Houstoun, Canon of Glasgow,
John Cameron, Bishop of Glasgow,
John, of Inverkeithing,
William Fowlis, ....
John Methven
William Turnbull,
John Raulston, Bishop of Dunkeld,
Nicholas Otterburn,
George Schoirswood,
Thomas Vaus, Dean of Glasgow,
John Arous, Archdeacon of Glasgow,
George Liddell,
Archibald Whitelaw, Archdeacon of Lothian,
RiciLiRD Muirhead, Dean of Glasgow,
Patrick Paniter, Abbot of Cambuskenneth,
Thomas Hay,
Patrick Hepburn, Prior of St. Andrews, .
Thomas Erskine, of Halton (Sir T. E., of Brechin),
David Paniter, Bishop of Ross, ...
David Paniter and Henry Balnaves,
David Paniter,
Sir William Maitland, of Lethington, Yr.,
Robert Pitcairn Archdeacon of St. Andrews,
Sir John Maitland of Thirlestane,
22. Sir Richard Cockburn of Clerkington,
28. John Lindsay of Balcarres,
James Elphinstone, Lord Balmerino, .
Excheq. liolls.
Ads of Par.
Exclieq. Bolls.
Reg. Mag. Sig.
Reg. Mag. Sig.
Excheq. Rolls.
Reg. Mag. Sig.
Reg. Sec. Sig.
Reg. Mag. Sig.
»»
Prim/ Council.
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
Reg. Mag. Sig.
"/ Date of Commission.
1608. May.
1609. 15th July.
1612. 24th July.
1626. 8th May.
1627. 20th October.
1630. 24th March.
1640. 15th March.
1640. 26th March.
1644. January.
1644. 22dJuly.
1649. lOtli March.
James, Lord Balmerino, and Sir Alexander Hay, of Newton.
Sir Alexander Hay, of Newton.
Thomas Hamilton, Earl of Haddington.
Sir William Alexander, of Menstrie.
Sir William Alexander, and Sir Archibald Acheson, of
Glencairn.
Sir William Alexander, and Sir Archibald Acheson.
Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling.
William, Earl of Lanark.
William, Earl of Lanark, and Sir James Gaixoway.
Sir Eobert Spott'eswood, of New Abbey.
William, Earl of Lanark. (See Acts of Pari. "Vol. vi. i. 182.)
William, Earl of Lothian. (Acts of Pari. Vol. vi. ii. 273.)
[The Cominonwealth.']
1661. 19th January.
1680. nth October.
1682. 26th September.
1685. 10th February.
1690. 22d February.
1691. 1st January.
1692. 3d March.
1696. 15th January.
1696. 5th February.
1699. 31st January.
1702. 6th May.
1702. 12th May.
1702. 21st November.
1704. 6th March.
1704. Nth October.
1705. 9th March.
1705. 5th June.
1705. 29th September.
1706. 20th June.
1708. 3d May.
John, Duke of Lauderdale.
Alexander, Earl of Moray.
Alexander, Earl of Moray, and Charles, Earl of Middleton.
Alexander, Earl of Moray, and John, Viscount Melfort.
George, Earl of Melvillk
George, Earl of Melville, and John, Master of Stair.
George, Earl of Melville, and James Johnston.
John, Lord Murray.
John, Lord Murray, and James, Lord Deskford, afterwards
Earl of Seafield.
James, Earl of Seafield, and John, Earl of Hyndford.
James, Earl of Seafield, and James, Duke of Queensberry.
James, Earl of Seafield, and James, Duke of Queensberry.
George, Viscount Tarbet, and James, Duke of Queensberry.
John, Earl of Roxburghe.
John, Earl of Roxburghe, and James, Earl of Seafield.
John, Earl of Roxburghe, and William, Marquis of
Annandale.
Hugh, Earl of Loudoun, and William, Marquis of Annan-
dale.
Hugh, Earl of Loudoun, and John, Earl of Mar.
Hugh, Earl of Loudoun, and John, Earl of Mar.
John, Earl of Mar.
LIST OF OFFICE-BEAEERS
225
Reg. Mag. Sig.
Date of Commission.
1709. 20th July.
1710. 20th July.
1710. 21st November.
1713. 17th September.
1714. 8th October.
1715. 6th August.
1716. 3d December.
1725. 16th September.
1727. 24th July.
1730. 24th June.
1741. 18th February.
James, Duke of Queensberry, and Charles, Earl of
sunderiand.
James, Duke of Queensberry.
James, Duke of Queensberry, and William, Lord Dart-
mouth.
John, Earl of Mar.
James, Duke of Montrose.
Charles, Viscount Townshend, and Rt. Hon. James Stanhope.
John, Duke of Roxburghe.
Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, and Charles, Viscount
Townshend.
Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, and Charles, Viscount
Townshend.
Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, and William, Lord
Harrington.
John, Marquis of Tweeddale.
[Office of Secretary of State for Scotland abolished 1746.]
KEEPERS OF THE SIGNET
1746. 10th November.
1766. 4th December.
1777. 6th February.
1777. 3d March.
1779. 23d June.
1792. 10th August.
1800. 26th May.
1814. 13th August.
1845. 12th December.
1860. 22nd December.
1862. 1st July.
1878. 13th March.
1879. 21st February.
1890. 14th May.
1890. 30th May.
Andrew Fletcher, of Milton.
Sir Gilbert Elliot, of Minto.
John Mackenzie, of Delvine, interim.
Rt. Hon. Henry Dundas, and Andrew Stuart, of Craigthorn.
Right Hon. Henry Dundas.
Right Hon. Henry Dundas, and Robert Dundas.
Robert Dundas, Viscount Melville.
Right Hon. William Dundas.
James, Marquis of Dalhousie.
James Hope, interim.
Sir William Gibson-Craig, of Riccarton.
James Hope, interim.
George Frederick, Earl of Glasgow.
Charles Bowman Logan, interim.
Douglas Beresford, Duke of Montrose.
2 F
828
THE SOCIETY OF WRITEES TO THE SIGNET
1726.
1741. 26th January.
1742. 12th March.
1744. 27th December.
1746. 22<i November.
1762. 16th November.
1767. 2d March.
1786. 4th January.
1831. 20th October.
1867. 4th October.
1876. 6th October.
1885. 19th August.
John Hay, and Alexander Campbell.
Archibald Campbell, and Alexander Campbell.
James Hay, and John Hay.
Alexander Tait.
Alexander Tait, and John Watson.
Alexander Gray, and "William Alston.
George Sandy.
John Home.
John Hamilton.
John Kichardson.
Hon. James William Moncreiff.
John Milligan.
ASSISTANT CLERKS AND EXTRACTORS OF THE SIGNET
1711. 21st Jan.
1711. 7th Nov.
1712. 21st Jan.
1722. 15th Jan.
1741. 9th Nov.
1768. 13th Dec.
WlLLLiM CADDELL.
Andrew Geddes.
John Bogle.
Robert Manson.
William Roy.
Robert Kinnell.
James Sandars.
1889. 22d Jan.
1776. 19th June. Alexander Alison.
1805. 23d Aug. John Cameron.
1810. 26th Nov. John Finlayson.
1831 20th Oct. Robert Webster.
1846. 2d Sept. James Milligan.
1876. 9th Oct. John Milligan.
1885. 6th Sept. John Dunbar Duff.
James Hume Notman.
FISCALS
1596. 23d July. Adam Coupar.
1599. 21st February. Harry Bickartoun.
1604. 27th March. George Mack.
1627. 28th December. Hew Ros.
1657. 2d February. William Ros.
1666. 22d January. George Dallas.
1671. 4th January. Hugh Wallace.
1681. 25th September. Alexander Aikenhkad.
1683. 29th January. Alexander Chaplane.
1684. 20th October. John Frank.
1686. 13th November. Willlam Stirling.
1690. 5th May. John Cunningham, of Bandalloch.
1695. 19th July. William Dallas.
1696. 4th May. John Strachan.
1697. 19th July. William Dallas, and Robert Pringle.
LIST OF OFFICE-BEAKERS
228a
1699
1702.
1703.
1710.
1717.
1722.
1723.
1725.
1726.
1728.
1729.
1732.
1734.
1754.
1755.
1763.
1777.
1796.
1807.
1820.
1824.
1844.
1851.
1864.
1872.
1883.
1887.
2d- October. William Dallas, and Alexander Glass.
16th November. William Menzies.
22d November. Robert Campbell.
21st December. Thomas Boyes.
ISth February. JoHN Stewart.
12th November. George Kennedy.
14th November. John Dunda.s.
8th November. William Forbes.
11th November. John Hamilton, Jun.
11th November. Archibald Stewart.
10th November. Robert Wallace, Jun.
13th November. John Hay.
11th November. Ronald Dunbar.
26th November. Samuel Mitchelson.
24th November. Peter Sinclair.
28th November. John Smith.
24th November. John Russell.
30th May. James MARSHAiJi. )
30th November. Patrick Russell.
26th December. Richard Mackenzie.
26th May. James Nairne.
3d July. Alexander Douglas.
17th July. Adam Gib Ellis.
2 let November. Patrick Dalmahoy.
18th November. William Ramsay Kermack.
20th June. Charles Bowman Logan.
20th December. John Cowan.
TREASUEERS
1654.
1659.
1662.
1682.
1686.
1691.
1697.
1698.
1699.
1703.
1710.
13th March.
18th January.
13th January.
3d November.
13th November.
13th July.
15th November.
16th August.
7th November.
29th January.
21st December.
George Mack.
James Allan.
David Watson.
Andrew Young.
John Frank.
John Macfarlane.
Thomas Pringle.
David Ramsay.
John Lutfutt.
Patrick Home.
James Baillie.
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET
1714.
20th April.
Alexander Glass.
1722.
26th November.
Alexander Stevenson.
1732.
John Steuart.
1736.
8th November.
John Hay.
1746.
17th February.
Alexander Si-eyenson.
1755.
3d February.
Samuel Mitchelson.
1788.
27th June.
William Tytler.
1792.
17th December.
ElCHARD HOTGHKIS.
1824.
12th March.
KiCHARD Mackenzie.
1828.
4th February.
Andrew Storie.
1862.
18th June.
John Gibson, Jun.
1870.
7th February.
John Clerk Brodie.
1882.
3d April.
John Thomson Mowbray.
PROFESSORS OF CONVEYANCING
1816. 16th December.
1847. 12th March.
1856. 28th February.
1866. 28th May.
Macvey Napier.
Allan Menzies.
Alexander Montgomerie Bell.
James Stuart Fraser Tytler.
LIBRARIANS
1805. 9th December.
1837. 21st June.
1879. 24th March.
Macvey Napier.
David Laing.
Thomas Graves Law.
COLLECTORS OF WIDOWS' FUND
1803. Ist August
1806. 20th January.
1818. 6th July.
1828. 17th November.
1861. nth March.
Sir Adam Ferguson.
Francis Napier.
James Stuart.
Walter Cook.
John Cook.
ABSTRACT OF Mi:^rUTES
ABSTEACT OF MINUTES.
At Edinburghe the Tent day of . . . God j™ v"= fourescoir
fourten yeiris.
Mr. John Layng, keeper of the signet, produced a commission granted by
Sir Eicliard Cokburne of Clerkingtoun, knight, secretary to the king, in favour of
the said Mr. John Layng his depute, and keeper of the signet, John Young, John
Johnstoun, Mr. William Scott, John Andro, Mr. John Kene, Walter Maware,
Adam Lawtie, Thomas Young, Walter Henrysoun, Peter Hewat, Harie Bickartoun,
[John] Wardlaw, Adam Cowper, Richard Karse, Alexander Reid, George Mak,
James [Borjthuik, and Thomas Harvie, or any nine of them conjunctly (the depute
keeper of the signet being always one), and failing of them, or any of them by
decease, with power to so many of the said commissioners in life for the time to
put others in the places of those deceased, " of the maist ancient and best qualifeit
ordinare" writers to the signet, to convene whenever they shall think expedient,
and to take order with " all abuses, falsities, and informaliteis in thair vocation
committit or to be commit by any ordinary member and brother thereof, master and
servant," and for remedy of the same " to conclude, determine, and sett doun all actis,
statutis, and ordinancis necessare, under the panes of deprivatioun simpliciter of their
office, suspensioun and pecuniall panes according to the wechtines of the offence."
And also to make acts and statutes, as well concerning the sufficiency of such as
should be presented by the said secretary, as the form and manner of trial, and
order of their admission to the said office, the contraveners thereof to be deprived
or suspended at the pleasure of the commissioners, etc. The commission is dated
at Edinburgh the 16th, and recorded in the Books of Council ad ftitura7n rei
tnemoriam, the 17th December 1594.
The accepting commissioners are Mr. John Layng, John Young, John John-
stoun, Mr. William Scott, Peter Hewat, Adam Lawtie, Harie Bickartoun, James
Borthuik, John Wardlaw, Richard Cas, Adam Cowper, George Mak, Thomas
Young, and they, along with the others mentioned in the commission, append their
signatures.
"The quhilk day the said Mr. Johne Layng presentit to the saidis com-
missioneris my lord secretares injunctiones following, to be observit be the ordiner
wryttaris to the signet in all tyme cuming, quhairof the tenour followis : —
"1. In the first that the haill ordinar writteris to the signet sweir to the said lord
secretare and his depute in his name thair lauchfull obedience concernyng thair
office as writtares to the signet, and quhen occasioun sail serve as hes bene in tjrmes
by past . . . cretare principal! to his majestic and thair ordinare maister thai
be , . .
2 G
230 THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET [1594
" 2. Item that uane of thatne writt ony lettres or billis aganis the s . . . without
thai first adverteis his lordschip or his depute. I[tem that na] writtare mak ony billis
of quhatsumever qualitie or importance [to the] prejudice of the said lord secretares
office. Item quhatsumevir writtare obeyis nocht his lordschipis depute keipare of
the signet in writting missive or utheris letres quhatsumevir his majestie commandis
his lordschip to be writtin that the disobeyaris be suspendit ay and quhill thai
pay a mandat for thair disobedience.
" 3. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutes, declairis, decemis, and
ordinis that gif it salhappin ony ordinare writtare to the signet present or to cum
to be convict judiciallie in ony jugement for falsett (albeit thai sal happin to be
absolvit be the juge fra the pane), that nevirtheles thai salbe deprivit simpliciter of
all writting to the signet in tyme cuming during thair liftymes.
" 4. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutes, decemis, and ordinis,
that in cais ony ordinare writter to the signet salbe fund to reveill ony secretis of
his clientis to the adversare pairties, or to ony uthir persoun or persones, that the
writtare reveilare thairof salbe simpliciter depryvit fra his office and writting to
the signet.
" 5. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutes, decemis, and ordinis,
that nane of the ordinare writtares to the signet present or to cum writt lettres
upoun ony warrandis writtin ather be ony uthir writtare, advocatis, thair servandis
or utheris quhatsumevir, or preceptis upoun signatures, except the said warrand or
signature be writtin be thameselfis or thair awin servandis^in thair awin buith,
except it be to supplie his brotheris lauchfull absence or seiknes testifeit to the
subscryrare or keipare of the signet, under the pane of deprivatioun, at the leist
suspensioun, or paj^ment of ane pecuniall sum at the discretioun of the saidis
commissioneris.
" 6. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutis and ordinis that na
person or persones salbe heirefter admittit ordinare writteris to the signet except
in the conventioun of the ordinare persones appoyntit thairto be the said com-
missioneris, quha being convenit, sail subscryve the admissioun of the persoun or
persones suitand the samyn gif thai think it necessare to be done, eftir dew examina-
tioun and tryall, quhilk sail alwyis preceid in publict conventioun befoir ony
admissioun. And gif ony of thair brethrene sail heirefter subscryve admissionis in
favour of ony persoun or persones, except in publict conventioun eftir the said
examinatioun and tryall as said is, the subscriptioun salbe null, and the subscryver
salbe depryvit of his office.
" 7. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutes and ordinis, that the haill
ordinare writteris appoyntit be the foirsaid commissioun, at the leist nyne of thame
Avith the said Mr. Johne Layng, sail ilk yeir twa severall tymes convene, viz. : in
the monethis of Apryill and August, and ofter as thai salbe warnit be the ordinare
officiare, and tak cognitioun and ordour with all complaintes to be presentit befoir
thame. As alsua that the haill ordinare brethrene writteris to the signet, sail convene
at all sic tymes and occasiones as thai salbe warnit be the said officiare, undir the
pane of fourtie schillingis to be uptakin fra ilk persoun disobeyand, being lauchfullie
wairnit thairto, personallie apprehendit, and to be suspendit fra all writting quhill
the payment of the foirsaid pane, quhilk the saidis commissioneris ordinis to be
convertit ad pios usus.
" 8. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutis and ordinis that na
1594] ABSTRACT OF MINUTES 231
persones alredie admittit, or in ony tyme heirefter salhappin to be admittit ordinare
writteris to the signet, salbe procuratouris, ageatis nor ordinare servandis to the lordis
of Sessioun or men of law, or exerce ony uthir particularo office in liurt and prejudice
of the rest of the brethrene and generall office, bot that the saidis writteris and ilkane
of thame salbe friemen, keip oppin buithis, speciallie await and attend upoun tliair
buithis and vocatioun, and nawyis be subject to ony uthir particulare service or
servitude of ony persones, undir the pane of deprivatioun ; and ordinis this act to be
extendit aganis all writteris els admittit and to be admittit, and all persones alredie
admittit and utheris seikand admissioun and obtenand the samyn to be suspendit fra
all writing, and the keipare of the signet dischargit of affixing of the samyn to lettres
or precejjtis to be subscryvit be thame, quhill thai keip oppin buithis for service of
oure soverane lordis leiges.
" 9. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis concludis, statutes, and ordinis
that heireftir na pei'soun salbe admittit to the signet nor use the office thairof bot be
deceis of ane of the brethrene ordinare writtare to the signet, and than to ressave the
sone, servaud or prenteis of the persoun deceissit, he being fund sufficientlie qualifeit,
and failzeing of him the eldest and best qualifeit servand or j)renteis quha hes servit
in the said office for the space of sevin yeiris, at the leist fyve yeiris aa prenteis and
twa yeiris as servand, and that he verifie the samyn be his indentour and discharge
of his maister of his faithfull service.
" 10. The quhilk day the saidis commissioneris decernis and statutes thatna writ-
tare now to the signet, nor that beis writtare admittit to the samyn heireftir, sail direct-
lie or indirectlie, be ony meane, colour or devyis, seik, purches or procure in his persoun
or favour the erectioun of ony new particulare office, in detriment, prejudice or hurt
[of the commojditie of the rest of the brethrene in the generall, and commoun . . .
signet or onywyis appropriat in particulare to him selif ony ... of the same generall
office undir the pane of deprivatioun, save [and the commojditie alwyis of the ordinare
officiaris.
"11. The quhilk day the saidis commissioneris statutes and ordinis that it sail
nocht be lesum to ony ordinare writtare to the signet to writt ony writtis, lettres or
evidentis, to ony pairtie or client quha restis unpait ony soumes of money or dettis
for writtis writtin to thame of befoir be ony uthir ordinare writter, being lauchfuUie
adverteist be the said writter of the said dett, undir the pane of payment to his
brothir of the dett awand be the said pairtie to him, and that he be suspendit fra
writting to the signet quhill the said det be pait.
" 12. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis statutis and ordinis that na
persoun, servand or prenteis, salbe ressavit and admittit in the place of ony ordiner
writter deceissit quha bruikit ane particulare office, except the persoun suitand to
be admittit be iirst ressavit and admittit to the particulare office possest of befoir
be the person be qubais deceis he claimes to be admittit to the signet.
" 13. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis calling to mynd the treuth
and honestie of thair predicessouris ordinare writteris to the signet, quhilk proceidit
upoun thair few nummer, and now be the admissioun of ane multitude thair is
drawin upoun the maist pairt of thame povirtie, and be the said povertie ar the
reddier to be inducit to committ falsettis ; thairfoir the saidis commis-
sioneris statutis and ordinis, that thair sail be na persoun nor persones admittit
ordiner writter to the signet in ony tyme cuming, nor ressavit in the place of
ony deceissand, unto the tyme the haill nummer of the saidis ordiner writteris be
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET [1594
redactit to the nummer of twentie foure persones, and that in na tyme cuming the
saidis ordinare writteris to the signet sail evir thaireftir exceid the nummer of
twentie foure ; provyding alwyis that undir this act sail nawyis be comprehendit the
ordiner clerkis befoir the sessioun, secretare, depute keipare of the signet, clerkis to
the justiciarie, and clerk depute of the secreit counsale.
"14. The quhilk day the commissioneris foirsaidis remembering the grite unitie and
gude concord standing amangis the haill brethrene, ordinare writteris to the signet
(praisit be God), and willing the samyn to incres and contiuew, thairfoir statutes and
ordinis that gif ony of the brethrene being persewit or [ac]cusit of ane uthir brother
for contravenyng of the actis abonewrittin or . . . thairof, salhappin to minas or
injure utheris be worde, deid . . . that the pairtie minasser or injurare of the uthir
quhither perseware or defendare (the samen injurie being tryit) salbe for the first
fault suspendit fra all using of his office, ay and quhill he have satisfeit the pairtie
offendit and forder induring the saidis commissioneris willis, and for the secund fait
salbe simpliciter depryvit of his office in all tyme cuming, but ony favoure or restitu-
tioun to be grantit to him thairof."
These statutes are subscribed by the commissioners, and also by J. Hay, D.
Hay, W. Wylie, Eobert Gairdnar, Thomas M'CawIay, John Buchannane, A. Millar,
John M'Gill, A. Schoir, James Kay, Eobert Stewart, Mr. John Paip, A. Hamiltoun.
159 .
19th DAY OF . Mr. John Layng, keeper of the signet, produced and
presented a letter from the secretary, Sir Eichard Cokburne, requesting the writers
to admit the bearer, David Flescheour, servitor to the clerk of register, to be an
ordinary writer to the signet, conform to his lordship's presentation given to him,
and to dispense with such acts as might be opposed against him.
15 95.
14th November. The Lord Secretary promises that he shall nowise admit any
person to the signet until the whole number be reduced to twenty-four only.
On the same day, the secretary and the commissioners being convened, Eobert
Gairdner, writer, is accused of contravening the act forbidding the writing of letters
upon warrants ; and having confessed the fault, he is suspended from writing to the
signet until the 20th of January next, and further during their will, that in the
meantime they may take further order with him : and Mr. John Layng is discharged
from affixing the signet to any summons or precept subscribed by the said Eobert
in the meantime.
4th Decebiber. The commissioners, including Mr. John Hay and Mr. James
Bannatyne, having considered the supplication of Eobert Gairdner, requiring them
" maist humlie " to dispense with the suspension enacted against him, and " being
movit with petye," have ex gratia dispensed therewith, on his promise never to
offend again, under pain of deprivation. He enacts himself to that effect, and puts
his signature.
1598] ABSTRACT OF MINUTES 233
159 6.
■4th June. Lord Menmure, secretary to the Kiug, ratifies the aforesaid com-
mission and whole acts made by the commissioners thereupon, promising " to hald
hand " to the observing thereof. His signature is appended.
On the same day the Secretary and Commissioners ordain that "gif ony ordiner
writter to the signet, or thair servandis, writ our agane in new forme, or utherwyse
in ony uther forme, in ony tyme coming, ony evidentis, writtis, bandis, signatouris,
preceptis, billis or letteris, quhilkis salhappin to be originally formed be ane uther
ordiner writer of befoir, and sail not send the same bak agane to the first former
thairof to be writtin be tham, except thai be deid or seik or depryved, the con-
travener salbe simpliciter depryved but favour."
23d July. The Lord Secretary being personally present with the " brether," of
new ratifies the acts of the commissioners, and ordains them to meet in August next
for taking trial of abuses.
Adam Cowper, writer, is appointed procurator fiscal for the year.
19th November. The commissioners, to the number of twelve, being convened
in the New Kirk, Robert Gairdner is accused of "subscryving of ane warrand quhilk
had bene writtin in the buith of David Flescheour and by his servand, and for the
writting of ane lettre thairupone and subscryving the samen." Which offence having
been confessed by the accused, the commissioners, " movit alwyse of petie, gaif to
him ane admonitioun " to abstain from such offences in time to come under pain of
being simpliciter deprived for life.
On the same day Adam Lawtie, clerk to the commissioners, is ordained to give
up again, to the writers who had produced their admissions formerly, their presenta-
tions and admissions, to be kept by them until they should again be required to
exhibit them.
Thus far the minutes are subscribed on each sederunt by the clerk, A. Lawtie.
Receipt of their presentations and admissions is acknowledged by A. Couper,
Thomas M'Awlay, and James Borthuik, who append their subscriptions.
15 98.
6th May. The commissioners being convened anent the supplication of John
Gilmure for his admission as an ordinary writer to the signet, Walter Henrysoun,
John Wardlaw, and Thomas Hervie are appointed to pass to the secretary to inform
him of their acts, and confer with him thereanent.
The ordinary writers to the signet being convened " anent the taking of ordour
with the admission of ordinare wryteris to the signet, for avoyding of the great hurt
and skaith that redoundis to the wryteris in generall by the extraordinare ad-
missioun of sindrie personis wryteris to the signet without tryall or examinatiouu
takin quhidder thai be qualifeit and meit to exerceis the office of ane wryter to the
signet ; and understanding that thair hes bene sindrie admittit quha be thame
selffis can do littel bot be the onlie help of sindrie auld servandis, thairfore, to the
effect that auld servandis suld not culloure the ignorance of sic personis, it is statute
234 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET [1598
and ordanit, that all sic personis sail remove and put away fra thame all auld servandis,
and tak prenteissis for the space of thre yeiris nixt efter thair admissioun to the
signet, and this act to be extendit ad preterita alsweil as ad futura."
16th August. The secretary Lord Eglischame ratifies the acts, and promises
" to hald hand " to the observing thereof. He subscribes the minute.
15 9 8-9.
• 25tli January. Mr. John Layng, "secretare depute," made declaration in name
of the Secretary that his lordship " wald have the actis of the bretherene observit
and keipit in all pointis," etc.
21st February. Mr. John Layng, "secretare depute," with the ordinary
brethren contained in commission, being convened for receiving the report of James
Borthuik and George Mak, two of their number, anent the qualification and ability
of Mr. Eichard Kene, son of the deceased Mr. John Kene, writer, the report of
his examination being favourable, the said Mr. Richard Kene is admitted " as ane of
their ordinare nowmer in the place of the said umquhile Mr. John Kene his father."
Hary Bickartoun is elected procurator fiscal for the year.
159 9.
24th July. Mr. John Layng, " secretare depute," with the ordinary commis-
sioners, being convened anent the admission of Mr. James Harlaw, son of the deceased
James Harlaw, one of the ordinary writers to the signet — the said Mr. James desiring
to be admitted in his father's place " conforme to the act maid anent admission of
wryters to the signet, and the same act, to witt the ellevint act contenit in the
bulk, being red in thair presence and considerit, and question being movit thair-
anent " whether the act should be extended ad preterita as ad futura, the majority
voted against extending the act ad preterita.
28th July. " The quhilk day the ordiner wryteris being convenit in the laich
tolbuith, and it being put to vote quhidder gif or nocht the bretherene wald grant
to ane incorporatioun with the advocates or not, the maist pairt voteit to the said
incorporatioun."
4th August. Mr. John Layng, secretary depute, made intimation to the
brethren of the act and ordinance of the Lords of Session of date 27th July 1599
against granting suspension upon " liquidate sowmes," the said act being read, and
engrossed in the minutes.
16 0 4.
27th March. Mr. John Layng, " secreter deput," convened the ordinary writers
to the signet according to the secretary's direction by his missive letter from
Whitehall dated 18th March 1604, bearing these words, "I think meit, seing I heir
i6o6] ABSTEACT OF MINUTES 235
of many abuseis amangis the wryteris to the signet, and that the maist pairt of
thame that was in commissioun with yow ar depairted, that ye convene thame all
and elect to your self some of the honestest and gravest amangis thame to have
commissioun for trying thair proceiding and censuring of thame, according to your
awin actis, and quhatever ye do in that behalf I sail ratofie and allow of it."
The brethren, after the reading of the commission given by his lordship's prede-
cessors, finding a sufficient number of the commissioners thei-ein named still " onlyve,
thay war all content with the saidis auld coramissioneris."
G-eorge Mak is elected procurator fiscal in all matters concerning the brethren,
and gives his oath for due administration ; and all complaints are ordained to be
given in and heard on the 12 th of April next.
1606.
17th January. Mr. John Layng, secretary depute, and keeper of the signet,
with the brethren, being convened in the " laiche tolbuith of Edinburgh," conform
to the lord secretary's direction, ordained that all bills and supplications to be given
by the writers before the Lords of Council and Session should be subscribed by
themselves "and nawayis be thair servandis" during the session, under pain of
deprivation.
Also that no writer to the signet nor their servants during the session take in
hand to present bills to the lords to be subscribed, nor to deliver the same upon the
backs, nor to present them to the ordinary clerk, under pain of deprivation.
It is also ordained that no ordinary writers to the signet " be onnawayis agentis
in passing of ony infeftmentis throw the seallis, or be ony other maner of way
agentis, bot attend upon thair oflSce and calling as ordinar wryteris to the signet
under the pane forsaid."
Also that all writers to the signet shall deliver to the said Mr. John Layng "ane
copie of thair servandis and prenteisis handwrittis that ho may knaw thame," under
pain of ten shillings.
Also that "eaverie brother ordinar wry tar to the signet sal gif yeirlie to John
M'Gill thair officer for his pains and trawillis the soume of vj' 8"^ at the leist, under
pane of x*."
17th January. The "bretherene wryttaris to the signet" being convened,
ordained the following persons admitted to be writers by the lord secretary, to
subscribe the acts " made in this present buke," and to ratify the same by their
subscriptions. The subscribers are "Eo* Lauder, David Wylie, E. Lawsoun,
James Kynneir, Eobert Alschinder, J. Heart, J. Andersone, Johne Ainslie,
Ja. Wynrame, A. Straton, Maister Eichard Kene, Jo. Young, G. Muirheid, Samuell
Birs, W™ Swane, James Scott, Jhone Kyncaid, Mr. Ja. Harlaw, A Dunlop, J. Small,
but hurt of my admission, T. Kellie, J. Balfour, E. Kirkwod, G. Thomesone, Eobert
Newlandie, Eobert Fortoun."
1 5 th March. " The quhilk day Mr, Johne Laynge, secreter deput, and the rest of
the ordinar wrytaris to the signet being convenit in the heiche tolbuith of Edinburgh,
the said Mr. Johne presentit befoir thame my lord secreteris warrand in maner and to
the efifect underwrittin, quhairof the tennour foUowis : — Maister Johne Layng, ye sail
236 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET [1606
imediatlie efter the sicht heirof convene the haill ordinar writteris to his Majesteis
signet, and certifie thame gif thai or thair servandis wrytis the delyverancos upoun
ony billis to bo grantit be the Lordis, they salbe simpliciter suspendit fra all wryting
to his hienes signet, and depryvit of thair oflBces ; commanding also the saidis clerkis
to gif in thair billis to be delyverit be the Lordis in this vacance approcheand
oulklie upoun the Tyisday, Thurisday, and Settirday, onlie, under the pane forsaid.
Subscryvit with oure hand at Edinburgh the xiiij of Merche 1606. Sic subscribitur
Balmerinoche, secretarij. Cei'tifie the haill nomber that gif the ordinance be contravenit,
the rigour salbe execut aganes thame without mercy. Quhilk was oppinlie red and
intimat to the said brithrene that nane sould pretend ignorance thairof."
On the same day the brethren, considering that there are certain writers to the
signet " quha keipis nocht opin buithis for serving of oure soverane lordis leidgeis
conforme to thair admissioun, actis and statutes maid thairanent, bot usis thame
selffis as agentis, unseamelie to ordinar wrytaris : as alsua that thair is utheris of the
saidis ordinar wrytaris quha hes divers persones in thair buithis and chalmeris quha
ar nocht thair ordinar servandis, and wryteis all maner of writtis according to thair
knawledge as gif thai war ordinar wryteris, to the grit abuise of the ordinar wryteris
and alsua of our soverane lordis leidges, taking thame to be the persones thay ar nocht :
for remeid quhairof " it is ordained that George Mak, procurator fiscal, should try
which of the brethren were culpable in these and other respects.
28th November. Mr. John Layng, keeper of the signet, and divers of the
commissioners being convened in the " hich tolbuith," remit to John Eistoun and
Thomas M'AwIay, two of their number, to try the qualifications of Thomas Grammy
or Crombey, presented by the secretary for admission.
3d December. The said examinators report " that the said Thomas wes in
sum reasonabill maner qualifeit to the oflSce."
16 07.
16th March. Hary Wilsoun being charged with contravening the act anent
"new maisteris admittit that sould nocht ressave auld servandis for cuUoring of
thair ignorance," confessed that he had received Thomas Egzer, but obliged himself
" to remove him furth of his company and service at Whitsunday nixtocum under
the pane of deprivation."
16th . Robert Stewart, Archibald Miller, John M'Gyll, and Robert
Newlands, being found guilty of contravening the act forbidding writers to subscribe
letters on bills, precepts or warrants, not written by themselves or their own servants,
are suspended from further writing to the signet until the lord secretary take order
with them.
Intimation is ordered to be made to Daniel Hay and Robert Rawson, James
Winrem and Robert Fortoun, to " seperate thame selffis, and ather of thame to hald
oppin buithes betuix and Witsonday " under pain of deprivation. The intimation
to be made by George Mak and John M'Gill within twenty-four hours.
i6o7] ABSTEACT OF MINUTES 237
25th March. Robert Newlands, who was suspended at the preceding sederant,
compeared before Mr. John Layng, keeper of the signet, and confessed the fault
alleged against him, and " of new actit " himself not to offend in that respect in time
to come, under pain of deprivation. His subscription is appended. > ,.
At Holyrood House, 4th April. In presence of James Lord Balmerinoch,
President of the College of Justice, and secretary to the king, the brethren, ordinary
writers to the signet, as well commissioners as others, being convened, do ratify
and approve the acts formerly made by the conunissioners, and add their subscrip-
tion, viz. : — Jo. Layng, Mr. Patrik Bannatyne, R. Cas, Adame Lawtie, J. Eistoun,
T. Young, Robert Stewart, G. Mak, T. Kellie, W. Henrysone, J. Andersone,
J. Buchanane, D. Flescher, A. Straton, Mr. John Paip, J. Gilmour, Thomas M'Awlay,
Mr. Ja. Harlaw, Maister Richard Kene, Walter Dick, J. Balfour, A, Dunlop,
R. Kirkwod, A. Schoir, A. Hamiltoun, J. Speir, T. Small, Ro. Lauder, Robert
Gairdnar, Antone Quhyte, Jo. Ainslie, Samuell Birs, Ja. Wynrame, Harie Wilsoun,
Jo. Young, David Wylie, J. Heart, G. Thomesone, Wm. Swane, D. Muirheid, Rot.
Alschinder, J. Makgill, T. Crombie, Jhone Kyncaid, Robert Fortoun, David Moysie.
5th June. Mr. John Layng, keeper of his majesty's signet, and the remanent
brethren being fully convened, and considering the secretary's wan-ant for electing
" sum of the eldest and maist discrete of the said brethrene " as commissioners, the
following are elected, viz. : — Mr. John Layng, Mr. William Scott, Adam Lawtie,
Adam Couper, Mr. Patrick Bannatyne, Walter Henrysone, Richard Cas, Thomas
Young, George Mak, John Eistoun, Thomas M'Cawlay, Arthour Stratoun, James
Kynneir, John Buchanane, and any nine, seven or five of them (Mr. John Layng
being always one) to convene for the trial of abuses, etc.
25th June. John M'Gill is suspended for contravening the act anent subscrib-
ing of letters and bills not written by himself or his servants in " his awin buith."
Robert Stewart is suspended for the same fault.
30th June. Archibald Miller being called before the commissioners for not
keeping open buith, and subscribing letters not written by his own servants, declares
that he shall keep open buith, and nowise keep Robert Maxwell for his servitor,
nor any other servitor, until he keep open buith, under pain of deprivation.
David Flescheour, accused of the same faults, declares that he will keep no
person in his buith except his " awin actuall servandis," and shall not keep John
Cunynghame, who is not his servant, under the aforesaid pain.
David Wylie is suspendit, during the secretary's will, for the same faults.
Robert Rawsoun is suspended in like manner for the same cause.
William Speir and RoJbert Gairdner, by their o^vn consent " become actit " to
keep no person in their buiths "bot their awin actuall servandis," and to keep
open buith.
7th July. James Justice becomes bound that neither he nor any of his servants,
nor any other persons by his licence, should write within his buith any bills to be
delivered by the lords, letters thereupon, signatures, or precepts upon signatures,
or any writs con«eming the signet, under pain of deprivation of his oflSce of
2 H
THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET [1607
notary, simpliciter, and from further keeping of an open buith. His subscription is
added.
Compeared also Mathew Cuming and "actit" himself to the same effect,
adding his subscription.
Compeared Robert Rawsoun and acknowledged that he offended "the brethir
in his undiscrete speches," craving pardon therefor, and declaring that he should
keep the acts : and the lord secretary having given his declaration to Mr. John
Layng that the said Robert should be reponed, he is reponed accordingly.
Compeared Alexander Pyet and " become actit in maner and to the effect foir-
said under pane of deprivatioun of his office of notarie." His subscription follows.
24th July. Hary Wilsoun is called before the commissioners "for contravening
of the actis maid that na new admittit writteris suld ressave auld servandis to serve
thame for cuUoring of thair ignorance, in ressaving of Thomas Stevin for his servand
quha is ane auld servand." The said Hary having confessed the fault, is suspended
during the lord secretary's will.
John Young, servitor to John Young, is found " to have injurit Johnne M'Gill
with injurious wordis," and therefore his master is ordained to cause him " satisfie "
the said John M'Gill for the injury, at the direction of the commissioners, or else to
remove the said John Young from his service : the said John Young, writer, to be
warned to this effect against " Tysday nixt."
28th July. David Flescheour being charged with "keping personis in his buith
quha ar not his actuall servandis, at the leist, with quhom he transactis for a pairt
of his awin dewitie, contrare to the actis ; " the said David having denied the charge,
the trial of the matter is remitted to George Mak, the procurator fiscal.
" The said day the brethereue ordanit George ... to the haill writteris buithis
and thair to tak ... of all servandis in thair buithis and to produce thair hand-
writtis under the subscriptioun of thair maisteris."
" The said day the bretherene ordanit that Johnne Young, wryter, suld caus
Johnne Young, his servitour, acknawlege his offence and injurie done be him to
Johnne M'Gill, conforme to his complaint verifeit and provin ; and to that effect to
sett doun upoun his kneis in presens of the bretherene and crave pardoun thairfore ;
or than that the said Johne Young suld remove his servand furth of his service, or
ellis the bretherene declairit thai wald suspend the said Johnne Young him selff fra
wryting to the signet, and ordanis this act to have effect betuix and this day aucht
dayes, with the consent of the said Johnne Young."
16 08.
20th January. Patrick Small, writer, alleged to be at the horn, compeared
and denied " that he wes onywyis at the home according to his knawlege ; " and
because there was no horning produced, the brethren were satisfied with the denial,
until further probation.
James Scot, writer, convened for the same cause, granted that " he wes only
rebell at the instance of Mr. Johnne Dempster, and thairfore desyrit sum tyme of
continuatioun to do for his releif." The matter is superceded for eight days.
i609] ABSTEACT OF MINUTES 239
27th January. Robert Stewart, John Ainslie, Robert Newlands, David Hart,
James Scot, Mr. Richard Kene, Avriters, being called before the commissioners that
order might be taken with them anent their being at the horn, and having, after
lawful warning, failed to compear, they are suspended until they produce lawful
relaxation; and Adam Couper is ordained not to pass their bills, and no other
writer to subscribe their letters.
Hary Wilsoun, being called for keeping Mathow Cwming and Mr. William
Yule as his servants, " and that in ane uther buith nor quhair he writis himselff,"
compears and denies the charge, and " declairis that gif he subscryve ony lettres
writtin be ony uther persoun nor Williame Borthuik his servand and him selff
without he mak intimatioun of his new servand to Mr. Johnne Layng, that he is
content to be simpliciter depryvit." The said Hary being " delaitit " that he kept
no open buith " bot held his chalmer with an advocat," and the fact being found so,
he obliges himself " betuix and witsonday nixt to procure ane oppin buith for him-
selff, under the pane of deprivatioun."
1st February. The commissioners, with consent of the parties, ordain Richard
Oas and Arthur Straytoun " to visite the wryting buithis of Johnne GUmuir,
Johnne Thomesoun, Robert Lawder, Robert Rawsoun, to sie gif thai keip thair
buithis with advocatis and to report this day aucht dayes."
1609.
8th November. " The quhilk day the haill bretherene, ordinar writeris to the
signet, being convenit be directioun of my lord secretar and Mr. Johnne Layng,
kepar of the signet, according to his lordship's lettre and directioun as said is, his
lordship's missive lettre underwrittin, direct to the said Mr. Johnne Layng, with the
injunctiounis and commandis eftir specifeit, ordaining the persones following to be
his ordinar commissioneris for the saidis writteris, wer all red in presens of the saidis
writteris, that nane suld pretend ignorance thairof, and ordanit to be registrat in the
register of the actis of the saidis ordinar writeris for the better conservatioun thairof,
lykeas the saidis quhais names are following,
accepit the said commissioun upoun thame, off the quhilk missive and injunctiouns
the tenour foUowis : My very loveing and assuired freind, the multitude of wryttaris
to the signet haffing bred amonge thame selffis disordour, and thairwith occasioned
the disdaine and contempt of that place whiche in former tymes wes in so muche
credite, is a matter no les greivous unto me then to thame who feillis more sensiblye
the smart of it. The too haistye desyre of many men to be maisteris, hes maid sume
of thame servanttes, and no dowbt want of employment bringing with it povertie
will produce sone such errouris to fall in thair handis as may muche disgrace the
place. Bot as I do not intend to wrong any admitted, howsoever unfitt they haiff
bene, being unwilling to condeme other menis actiouns, so the only course whiche I
do heirefter resolve to keip, is in directing a stricter ordour to be observed in
depryveing or suspending of any quho sail heirefter offend. I wald haiff yow thair-
foir to convene the hole number, willing every ane of thame to tak ane copy from
yow of theis ordinances heirwith sent, so that they do not pretend ignorance when
the pane upoun thair fault is imposed. Yow sail ressaive the roll of theis com-
240 THE SOCIETY OF WRITERS TO THE SIGNET [1609
missioneris quhome I wische sould asiste yow, and lett not preposterous pitie
heireftir (since thair is ane sufficient forwarning maid) move ather yow or thame to
spair or mitigate the punishment imposed, that so quhome dewtie can not move,
feare sail inforce, to walk warlie in thair calling. As for my pairt howevir, I do
not intend to interdict my selfif hollie, as unwilling to wrong the place I possesse, yit
I howpe by prwife yow sail find me moir spairing then perhappis yow expect; and gif
yow with the rest of the commissioneris, by punisching of faultis and sieing of the
ordinances keipit, will thairby kythe your affectioun to restoir that place to credeitt,
I will promeise not only to concurre with yow in that actioun, hot alsua to leive na
thing undone that may retrinche the present supernumerare fellowschip, of quhome
many, with doing thame selfiis small guid, do both the place and theis of best worthe
in that calling muche harme : Lett me thairfoir by the first goode occasioun be
acquainted with your proceidingis heirin. And quhat furder is thocht expedient by
yow and the commissioneris to be done and yeildit unto by me, if it be within
compas of ressoun and without prejudice, sail neaver be refuised by me. And
desyring yow heirwith to remember my hairtye commendatiouns to all of [the
bretheren] I rest, sic subscribitur, Roistoun, xxvth October, your loveing and
assured freind, Alexr. Hay. FoUowis the injunctiouns to be observed be the
wryttaris to the signet in all tyme cuming under suche panes as ar contained in the
samyn."
1. This injunction is in similar terms to rule No. 3 of the former set of in-
junctions.
2. This rule is the same as No. i of the former set.
3. This is in similar terms to No. 5 of the former rules, with this additional
clause, " and to that effect that every wrytteris name be writtin upoun the bak of
the warrand quhich salbe writtin or subscryvit by him heirefter."
4. This rule is to the same effiect as No. 8 of the former set.
6. This is to the same effect as No. 10 of the former rules.
6. This is in similar terms to No. 1 1 of the former rules.
" 7. Item that all billis and supplicatiouns to be gevin in by any wryttar to the
signet to the Lordis of Sessioun be subscryved by thame selflBs and nawayes by thair
servandis, nor na utheris, the tyme of the sessioun. And that nane of thame
subscryve ather billis, lettres or preceptis wryttin by any uther wryttare, nottaris or
advocatis servandis or utheris quhatsumevir (except he be speciallie desyred thairto
by ane ordinar wryttar and wrytt under his hand) under pain of
deprivatioun."
" 8. Item that nane of thame mak any billis or writtis of quhatsumevir qualitie
or importance in prejudice of the secretaris office, under the pane forsaid."
"9. That they all obey the keipar of the signet in writting missives or otheris
lettres which his majestic commandis to be wreittin under the pane of the payment
of and to be suspendit frome writting till payment thairof."
" 1 0. Item gif ony lettres beis found by the keiper of the signet raised, vitiat,
blaiked, interlyned or anywayes unbeseiming, that the depute keipar ryife the lettres,
and caus wrytt thame agane upoun the wryttaris expenss, and suspend him for
thrie monethis who sail subscryve any suche and send them to the signet."
"11. Item the denunciatioun of any wryttar to the home for quhatsumevir caus to
infer suspensioun of him for thrie monethis : and if he continew rebell xl dayes
unrelaxite then he to be uterlie depryved without any restoring."
i6o9] ABSTKACT OF MINUTES 241
"12. Item that no wryttar alredy admitted to dimitt his place; and if the
dimissioun be oflfered, albeit unaccepted, yit sail it frome thencefurth infer the de-
privatioun of him quho intendit it, and mak the other who did thairupoun sute for
admissioun in all tyme thairefter uncapable for injoying of such a plaice."
" 1 3. That all signatouris conteaning grantis of landis, or bukis which ar to be
signed by his maiesties owin hand, heirefter salbe fair wreittin on parchment, with-
out blotting or interlyning, and thair salbe a greatt void left abone for his majestie
to signe, and a large space beneth the signatour, and at the corner or nuik of the
parchement belowe, the writter of the signatour sail testifie that [it] is correct and
hes bene examinit by him, and subscryve his name thairto, according to ane patrone
which is heirwith sent and is to be heirefter followed, and the dely verie to any client
any suche signatour otherwayes then is befoir prescryved, to be frome henceforthe
for every suche fault the suspensioun of the writter, giver out thairof, for the space
of thrie monethis."
"14. Item since the habite suld distinguische every one in his calling, all wrytteris
to the signet ar heirefter, induring thair stay within Edinburgh, bothe in thair
earning abrode in the streittis and in thair wreittin boathe, [to] wear all the day long
(except he walk or ryde abroade without the towne for recreatioun) a gowne in suche
forme as salbe sett downe by the commissioneris wnder writtin. And that habite to
be provydit within twentie dayes after it is appoynted. And suche as sail want it
to be suspendit frome using thair functioun untill they be provydit."
" 1 5. Item all admissions of writteris to the signet frome hensefurth salbe upoun
recommendatioun by the two pairt of the commissioneris underwrittin, att leist,
being conveaned togidder (so as thair consent be not gottin per emandicata siiffragia)
to the secritarye, of the pairtes sufRciencie quho desiris to be admitted. And
quhosoevir sail suit warrant for his admissioun utherwayes then is befoir prescryved
sail thairby be declared uncapable to injoy any suche place heirefter."
" 1 6. Item that none do exceed the pryces conteined in the printed actis under
the pane of suspensioun for every such offence for six monethis."
"17. Item if any writter being persewit or accused by another for contravening
of the actis afoirsaid or any point thairof, and being guyltie of the same, and gif
thairefter the persewar or accuser be anywayes minassit or injured be him ather
be word or deid thairfore, the injurer or minasser being exactlie tryed by the
commissioneris underwritten, sail for the first fault be suspendit from using his
office untill at the commissioneris sight he haiflF satisfeit the pairtie offendit, and
for the secund fault be depryved simpliciter in tyme coming."
"18. Item that every ane of thame be commandit to tak a copye of thir
present injunctiouns, so that they may not pretend ignorance of any point thairof."
"19. Item that the keipar of the signet and wholl wryttaris thairto, yearlie
convene at tuo severall tymes in the yeir, viz. : in the monethis of Apryle and
August, and att all suche other tymes as they salbe warnit by the ordinar ofl[icer,
and thair the said keipar of the signet with suche as ar appointit commissioneris
for that effect sail tak cognitioun and ordour with all complaintis to be presented
before thame, according to equitie and reasoun. And if any (being lawfullie
warnit) compeir not personallie the tyme and place appoynted (having no lawfull
exuis), salbe unlawed in fyve pundis scottis money, and suspendit from all wrytting
until the same be payit, which is to be convertit ad pios usus."
" And for better taking ordour heirwith theis commissioneris underwrittin are
ft*i THE SOCIETY OF WEITEES TO THE SIGNET [1609
speciallie maid choise of to asist the said keipar of the signet in trying offences,
imposing of punishementis, and seing the particular injunctiouns abovewrittin
speciallie and preceislie keipit."
(Signed) JoHNE Ros.
" The names of the commissioneris —
Mr. Williame Scott. Thomas Young.
Mr. Johne Hay. George Mak.
Mr. Patrik Ballantyne. Thomas M'Awla.
Adame Lawtie. William Wylie. .
Walter Hendersone. Antonye Quhyte.
James Kynneir.
Sic subscribitur.
Walthame, 29 Odobris 1609.
Alexr. Hay."
On 15th November 1609, David Wylie is convened before the said com-
missioneris "in the hich tollauith of Edr." on the charge of subscribing bills,
letters, etc., not written by himself or his servants, and not keeping "of ane oppin
and distinct buith." Having confessed to both faults, and craved time to provide
himself with a buith, the commissioners " being advysit, dispensit with him anent
biganes," and suspended him from writing to the signet, "quliill he tak up ane
oppin buith."
On the same day Archibald Millar being called for the same faults confessed,
" and desyrit that all byganes suld be oversene," promising to keep the acts in time
coming. He is suspended on the same conditions as in the preceding case.
Harie Wilsoun is simpliciter deprived for breaking the acts, "and specialie
ane act maid be his awin consent of befoir, quhairby he oblist himself to keip ane
oppin distinct buith be him selff, and na wyis to keip with him auld servandia."
22d November. The commissioners convene in the house of Mr. John Layng.
David Moyses is cited for having in his company " ane Mr. James Straucliane,
ane commoun agent and nawyis servand or prenteis to ane ordinar wryter of befoir,
bot rather ane quha behavit him selff as ane maister, notourlie knawin to the
bretherene, with thre uther servandis lykewyis knawin to the brether nather to be
servandis to the said Mr. James Strauchane, nor to the said David : Alsua for
productioun of the said Davidis awin admissioun nawyis knawin to the saidis
commissioneris, specialie sen he had not exerceisit the ordinar wryting to the
signet for the space of twentie yeiris of befoir notourlie knawin : The said David
compeirit and declairit that he had na admissioun; bot that the keipar of the
signet of a lang tyme had ressavit ane warrand for affixing of the signet to his
letteris : and grantit the having of the saidis four servandis." He is suspended until
he obtain a new admission.
Mr. Eobert Bisset, cited for keeping with him one James Cunynghame, " quha
besyde the said Mr. Eobertis service wrait the register to Andro Couper, Mr.
Williame Scotis servand," compeared and confessed having the said James with him,
and that he wrote the register in his buith, while' he was not employed in his
i6io] ABSTEACT OF MINUTES 243
service. Having "actit" himself not to employ the said James Cunynghame
under the pain of deprivation, the case is concluded.
Robert Newlands, cited for subscribing bills and letters not written by himself
or his servants in his buith, and for not holding an open buith, confessed the same,
but alleged that for letters so subscribed to one David Plumber he received pay-
ment. The commissioners considering that the said Robert had " sua aft " broken
the acts, deprive him simpliciter.
Intimation is made to David Wylie of his suspension until he keep open buith.
27th November. Mr. John Layng presented to the commissioners the Lord
Secretary's letter, which was ordained to be registered thus: — "Loving freind, I
wrait to yow of befoir for Mr. Robert WUliameson, now in fauouris of Johne Ros
and Johne Nicoll. I will close my handis from all utheris except upoun deceis, and
skairslie than. Of the date at Huntingtoun the xix of November 1609. Your
loving and assurit freind Alexr. Hay."
" The brether thocht the wordis abonewrittin of my lordis missive onlie necessar
to be insert."
1610.
26th February. Sederunt, — Walter Hendersoun, Mr. Johne Layng, Adame
Lawtie, James Kynneir, Williame "Wylie, George Mak, Thomas M'Awly, and
Anthony Quhite.
Adam Schore, accused of subscribing letters of one Mathow Cuming, and others,
denied, and consented that if it should hereafter be verified, he should be deprived.
His signature is appended.
Robert Rawsoun, on a similar charge, having also denied, subscribes upon the
same condition.
Mr. Robert Williamson, being delated for contravention of the Acts, declared
he was ever willing to keep them, and " actit " himself to do so, and to " cans his
servand Gawin Blair gif ower his buith at Witsunday nixt."
5th March. John M'Gill being convened for keeping in his buith Cuthbert
Miller, who was seeking admission as a writer to the signet, it is found to be
contrary to the Acts, and the said John engages to put the said Cuthbert from him,
and subscribes.
David Moyses, cited for having in his buith other servants than he had " gevin
up " to the commissioners, declared that " he had na uther servandis for the present
bot ane Johne Quhippo," and "actit himself" to subscribe no letters but such
as should be written by the said John " or sic uther servandis quhairof he suld
adverteis the commissioneris " under pain of deprivation.
John Gilmour, cited for "keping of ane buith conjunctlie with Mr. Robert
Lermonthis chalmer," of his own consent became bound before Whitsunday next
to remove from the said " chalmer," or that Mr. Robert Lermonth should remove
from him, and that no other advocate should come in his place, " or than that the
chalmer suld be devydit be dur and loke," under pain of deprivation.
244 THE SOCIETY OF WKITERS TO THE SIGNET [1610
9tli March. The commissioners ordain that no ordinary writer to the signet
in time of session be found -within the burgh of Edinburgh "upon the gate"
without his gowne upon him, under pain of deprivation : and that no ordinary
writer in time of session be found drinking in taverns, under the pain of five
pounds toties quoiies.
" The quhilk day Abacuk Bisset being convenit as alleging him to be ane ordinar
writer to the signet, and yit making his residence in Aberdene, the said Abacuk
comperit and declairit that tuiching his residence in Aberdene he had ane dispen-
satioun : and being demandit quhairfore he had na gowne according to the ordour,
he said he had provydit nane." The commissioners suspend him until he " report
ane new testimonial! of my lord secretar."
" The quhilk day the commissioneris ordanit the haill bretherene to gif support
according to thair chirritie for help of the pure Italiane, Francis de Parisco."
1 2th March. Walter Dick, cited for subscribing letters written by his son,
admitted the charge, whereupon the commissioners "having consideratioun, dis-
pensit for bygane subscryving," and the said Walter acted himself to conform to
the rules on that point.
Eobert Stewart is suspended for not compearing to answer to certain charges,
and is warned to compear that day eight days under pain of deprivation.
19th March. The said Eobert Stewart, compearing, is accused of "subscriving
letters for agentis and servandis to men of law," not written by himself and his
own servants in his buith, and for subscribing precepts upon signatures not written
by himself, etc. He denies the charges, and promises to observe the acts in time
14th May. Sederunt, Mr. Johne Layng, Adame Lawtie, Thomas Young, William
Wylie, James Kynneir, Thomas M'Awlay.
The commissioners ordain " that act maid that na writter suld write lettres to
the hurt or prejudice of my lord secretar, his office, or depute kepar of the signet,
to be exponit and understude as foUowis : — To wit that it sail not be lesum to ony
wryter to the signet to contene in ane lettre ony ma commissioneris preceptis nor
ane, or ony decretis gevin be the lordis, shireffis, bailleis of regaliteis, bailleis of
burghs, contractis or obligatiounis, bot ane in every lettre, according as thair is
severall decretis, preceptis, contractis, or obligatiounis : Quhairby the kepar of the
signet be not prejugit in the dewitie of the signet, nor the writer in his dewitie of
every lettre."
At Edinburgh, 31st July. The Lord Secretary ratifies and approves the com-
mission aforesaid, and the whole acts of the commissioners. The minute is signed
" Alexr. Hay."
3d November. Sederunt, the commissioners, Mr. John Layng, William Wylie,
James Kynneir, Mr. Patrick Bannatyne, George Mak, Anthone Quhite, Thomas
M'Awlay.
George Mak is appointed " to pas throw the bretherene's buithis and tak tryall
quhat enormities and contraventionis ar committit agane the actis," and to report
i6io] ABSTRACT OF MINUTES M&
monthly to Mr. John Layng and the brethren, under the pain of forty shillings
each month.
31st July. " Sederunt, my lord secretar, Maister Johue Layng, Maister Johne
Hay, Adame Lawtie, Thomas Young, Mr. Patrik Banuatyne, Williame Wylie, George
Mak, James Kynneir, Thomas M'Awlay, Anthone Quhite.
"The quhilk day my lord secretar and the commissioneris foirsaidis being
convenit, upoun gude considerations moving, his lordship and the saidis commis-
sioneris statutis and ordanis that in time coming all personis, writteris to the signet,
quhen thai salhappin to ressave ony personis, prenteissis to thame, sail at the ressait
of the saidis prenteissis, mak ane indentur betubdi thame, quhairby the saidis
prenteissis salbe bund to serve thair maisteris for the space of sevin yeiris efter the
making of the said indentur; and that the saidis wryteris, the tyme of the ressait of
thair saidis prenteissis and making of the saidis indenturis, present the same to the
commissioneris, that ane recorde and note may be maid in the register buik of the
actis of the saidis ordinar wryteris, of the names of the saidis prenteissis and time
of thair indenturis, that thairby the commissioneris may understand that the saidis
prenteissis sail serve the haill yeiris of thair indenturis before thai sail sute benefite
of ane ordinar writer to the signet. And that in caice of deceis of their maisteris
in the menetyme, the saidis prenteissis be the advyse of the saidis commissioneris
may be directit to serve uther ordinar writteris during the said space of sevin yeiris,
utherwyis the saidis prenteissis to be uncapable of the benefite to the wry ting to the
signet, and thair maisteris ressavaris of thame to be simpliciter depryvit. And ordanis
Thomas M'Aulay, clerk to the saidis commissioneris, to ressave the saidis indenturis
and note thairof "
" The said day the said lord secretar and the saidis commissioneris ordanit
and appointit Richard Cas and Johne Eistoun to be of the nowmer of the commis-
sioneris."
William Speir, cited for contravening the acts, confessed, and " actit " himself
to observe the same hereafter under pain of deprivation.
William Wylie is ordained " to subscryve na letters to Maister James Strath-
auchane, nor na utheris that ar knawin to be his prenteissis or servandis, and to
remove fra him the said Mr. James and have na thing to do with him."
16th November. The said day John Cas and James Stratoun are referred to-
the commissioners for trial of their qualifications, " in respect of my lord secretaris
presentatioun and Johnne Wardlawis place vakand."
The complaint of David Wylie for his restitution is referred to a larger
meeting.
3d December. " Sederunt, Mr. Johne Layng, Mr. Johne Hay, Adame Lawtie,.
Kichard Cas, Mr. Patrick Bannatyne, George Mak, Thomas Young, Johne Eistoun,
James Kynneir, Williame Wylie, Anthone Quhite, I'homas M'Awlay." (No business
recorded.)
2 2d DECEMBEii. The same sederunt, except Adam Lawtie, James Kynneir, and
William Wylie.
John Eistoun and Anthone Quhite report anent the qualifications of John Cas
2i
846 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET [1610
. and James Stratoun, that they considered they might be admitted as writers to the
signet. The commissioners thereupon admit the said persons, who swear to observe
the acts. They also subscribe.
David Wylie is reponed on condition that he keep the acts "and write na
lettres in tyme cuming hot with his awin hand, utherwayis to be simpliciter
depryvit." He subscribes.
1611.
14th January. Patrick Small being at the horn at the instance of Mr. John
Adamson, is suspended until he be relaxed.
26th January. Compeared Robert Rawsoun, writer, and according to the act
anent booking apprentices " producit Johne Hammiltoun, sone to Gawin Hammil-
toun, indwellar in Edinburgh, his prenteis," together with the indenture made
between them, and desired that a note and record be made thereof, which the
commissioners ordained to be done, and the note is entered bearing that the
indenture was made at Edinburgh on 1st January 1611, and witnessed by Patrick
Hamiltoun, notary, and Patrick Hamilton, locksmith, burgess of Edinburgh.
Compeared also Robert Kirkwod, and produced James Lovnie, son lawful to the
deceased Alexander Lowrie, burgess of Perth, as his apprentice, with his indenture,
of which a note is made as above. The indenture is dated at Edinburgh, 2 2d
November 1610, and consenting thereto are Barbara Blair, mother of the said James
Lowrie, Mr. James Oliphant, apparent of Newtoun, and William Blair of Tarsappie,
as cautioners; the engagement being for three years, and the "prenteis fie" j£ 100.
The witnesses are Alexander Lowrie, brother to said James, and John Mudie,
servant.
1 2th March. " Delyverit to Johne M'Gill be directioun of the commissioneris,
aucht pundis."
24th March. Sederunt, Mr. Johne Layng, James Kynneir, Mr. William Scot,
Johnne Eistoun, Mr. Johne Hay, David Wylie, Richard Cas, George Mak, Thomas
M'Awlay.
Supplications given in by David Logane and Thomas Coutis for admission to
the signet, with their presentations subscribed by the secretary, are continued to the
next meeting.
1 6th May. Sederunt, Mr. John Layng, Richard Cas, Thomas Young, Mr. Jamet>
Skene, John Eistoun, Mr. Patrik Bannatyne, William Wylie, George Mak, Thomas
M'Awlay.
Intimation is given to all the writers present that no bills are to be given to
any macer, " bot onlie to Mr. James Skenes chalmer, quhilk salbe patent quhill ten
houris befoir none every day."
George Mak, their procurator-fiscal, is ordained " to pas throuch the haill
ordinar writeris buithis and mak intimatioun to thame that thai present all thair
prenteissis gif ony be ressavit be thame sen Martinmes last," and also "to cans
■every ordinar writer write his awin name and mark it with his signe, according as
i6l2] ABSTEACT OF MINUTES 247
he intendis to subscryve his billis to be gevin in befoir the lordis, and to delyver
the saidis names and signes to Mr. James Skene, that he may keip the same for
the better knawlege of the saidis ordinar wryteris names and subscriptiouns, as alsua
to try gif thair be ony ma ordinar wryteris in ane buith nor ane, and quhat wryteris
subscryve agentis billis and lettres not writtin be thameselffis and thair awin
servandis," and any other " enormiteis," and to report his diligence.
27th May. Sederunt, Mr. John Layng, Mr. John Hay, Richard Cas, Thomas
Young, John Eistoun, George Mak, Thomas M'Awlay, William Wylie, Anthone
Quhyte.
Thomas Coutis is ordained "to be tryit of his qualificatioun this day aucht
dayes, in presens of the haill commissioneris, conforme to the actis."
Thomas Young, master to the said Thomas Coutis, because he had not his
indenture to produce, affirmed " upoun his conscience " that there was an indenture.
Absentees are ordained to be " unlawit."
3d June. Sederunt, Mr. John Layng, Mr. John Hay, Adam Lawtie, Thomas
Young, Richard Cas, Mr. Patrik Bannatyne, James Kynneir, George Mak, John
Eistoun, Thomas M'Awlay, Anthone Quhite, William Wylie.
William Wylie is suspended until "he tak ane uther buith for his wryting
nor he is presentlie into, and procure ane prenteis to be buikit in presens of the
commissioneris."
Mr. Robert Bisset, for writing letters "informalie" is fined £3 for one fault.
All writers who were at any time agents, since the act for discharging agents,
to be censured and " put to pecuniall unlawis."
Ist July. Sederunt as in previous minute, excepting William Wylie and
Anthone Quhite.
Adam Lawtie, Richard Cas, and James Kynneir, having been appointed to try
Thomas Couttis' qualification, report in his favour, and he is accordingly admitted
in the usual manner.
Commission by Sir Thomas Hamiltoun of the Byres, in favour of Adam Lawtie,
James Kynneir, Richard Cas, Thomas M'Awlay, and James Wynrahame, or any
three of them conjunctly, in similar terms to those previously recorded. Subscribed
at Edinburgh, 27th November 1612.
1612.
7th December. It is minuted that the writers undersubscribing, having heard
the acts read, gave their oaths to observe them: also, that the "haill ordinar
wryteris to the signet," having convened within " the hich tolbuith of Edinburgh,"
the commission aforesaid was read, and intimation made to them " of my lordis
resolute mynd " for keeping the acts. The subscribers are " Johne Ross, Johnne
Nicoll, Tho. Couttis, W. Stark, A. Hay, Richard Guthrie, Jo. Peter, D. Logane."
It is ordained that on the back of all letters and precepts, the writer thereof
" write upoun the bak of the saidis letteris and preceptis thir wordis, writtin be me
sdrvand to and that the wryter put his name thairto, under pain of
deprivatioun." '. > • -.' "■■ "j : •
248 THE SOCIETY OF WEITERS TO THE SIGNET [1613
1613.
9th January. John Balfour having been duly cited for not keejjing open
buith and making paction with agents, does not compear, and is suspended until he
obey the summons.
Abacuk Bisset having given in a supplication bearing that he was suspended
by the commissioners from writing, and desiring to be reponed so as to " use the
said office alsweill within the burgh of Edinburgh as furth thairof, notwithstanding
the actis maid in the contrair," the commissioneris " being advysit " suspend the
said Abacuk " as of befoir, quhill he keip oppin buith."
1 6tli January. Sederunt, Adam Lawtie, Richard Cas, James Winrahame, James
Kynneir, Thomas M'Cawlay.
Mr. John Paip, Robert Rawsoun, and Johne Ros, being " convenit " before the
commissioners " for using of thame selffis as commoun agentis in soliciting of the
lordis, informing of advocatis, and passing of signatouris and infeftmentis throw the
seallis," confess the fault, and are dispensed with " for byganes," and act them-
selves to keep the rules.
Thomas Crambie, Henry Oliphant, and David Logane " convened " for the like
offence, are admonished, and become bound in like manner.
James Ramsay having craved to be " buikit " as servant to Robert Rawsoun,
the commissioners find that " he culd nawyis serve the said Robert conforme to thair
actis," and the said Robert Rawsoun is ordained to " separate him selff fra the said
^ames."
13th February. John Thomsone and William Speir, writers, having been
warned to compear that order might be taken " anent thair removing furth of this
burgh in sa far as concemis thair wryting to the signet," they failed to compear ;
whereupon " the depute kepar of the signet " is ordained not to affix the signet
to any letters or precepts to be subscribed by them, or written by their servants,
until they compear.
"The said day my lord secretar and his commissioneris, understanding that
sindrie of the craftis of the burgh of Edinburgh ar burdening sum of the wi-yteris
to the signet to becum thair clerkis, and to keip thair assembleis and meitingis
contrare to equitie and ressoun, and to the reputatioun of the saidis wryteris, quhais
calling hes evir bene repute mair honourabill nor thairwith to becum clerkis to sic
inferior callingis. Thairfore the said lord secretar, and his saidis commissioneris,
statutis and ordanis that it sail nawyis be lesum to ony wryter to the signet to tak
upoun him, in ony tyme cuming, to becum clerk to ony of the saidis craftis or trades
of the said burgh, bot to attend and serve our soverane lordis lieges in the said
vocatioun of wryting to the signet, quhairby the samin be not disgracit with the
saidis base and unworthie clerkshipis, under the pane of deprivatioun. And gif ony
wryter hes already takin upoun him the clerkschip to ony craft, that fra this furth
he decist and ceis thairfra, under the pane foirsaid."
30th July. Anent the complaint given in before the commissioners by John
Millar in Claypottis, with concurrence of Mr. James Stewart, commissary of Dunkeld,
against George Nasmyth, " servitor to Robert Kirkwod, wryter, " to the effect that
i6i8] ABSTRACT OF MINUTES 249
the complainei" having